A 10-minute brisk walk or other exercise after a big meal can certainly help.
Do you often feel sluggish or sleepy after meals? If your productivity is declining due to low energy levels and you’re wondering why this happens, don’t worry. Nutritionist Pooja Malhotra shared an Instagram post explaining how diet, sleep and certain underlying conditions can be the cause of post-meal sluggishness. She offers insights on how you can stop feeling sleepy and struggling to stay focused after lunch or dinner. In the video, Malhotra can be heard saying, “When you feel sluggish or sleepy after meals and can’t concentrate, stop scrolling. The biggest culprits for feeling sluggish after meals are high-carb or high-fat meals. When these are digested, your body produces more serotonin and melatonin, which causes drowsiness.”
Pooja Malhotra continues, “Not getting enough sleep the night before is also a contributing factor in feeling sleepy soon after eating. Other contributing factors can be alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and medical conditions like diabetes, insulin resistance, anemia, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders.”
Your dietitian will also explain further what you can do to stay active after your meal.
She wrote in the caption:
1. Eat a balanced diet
Eating a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet increases the production of serotonin and melatonin in the body, which makes you feel sleepy. Therefore, it is effective to eat a diet that contains a balanced amount of nutrients.
2. Eat small, frequent meals
Reduces blood sugar and insulin resistance. Smaller meals prevent overeating, and frequent meals help maintain stable energy levels throughout the day.
3. Avoid drinking too much alcohol
Alcohol has the negative effects of disrupting digestion and causing blood sugar imbalances, so reducing your intake can help reduce drowsiness and maintain focus and alertness.
4. Get enough sleep
Nothing beats a good night’s sleep. Not only does sleep replenish your energy reserves and reduce fatigue, it also regulates your hunger hormones. By reducing overeating, you can easily improve your body’s insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
5. Stay hydrated
Dehydration can make you feel tired and sleepy, so staying hydrated improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
6. Exercise regularly
Taking a light 10-minute walk or other exercise after a hearty meal is sure to do the trick: it improves blood circulation and oxygenation, boosts energy levels and alertness, helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, improves digestion, and reduces bloating.
7. Soak up a few minutes of early morning sun
It regulates circadian rhythms, boosts energy and alertness, and also boosts Vitamin D levels, which are essential for energy production, helping to elevate mood and reduce fatigue.
Finally, Pooja Malhotra recommends, “If these measures don’t work, talk to your doctor to see if there’s a medical reason.”
Follow these tips to stay active throughout the day.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides general information only. It is not a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV is not responsible for this information.
