Sleepy Sugar Crashes
If you’ve noticed that you’ll certainly feel very sleepy after a midday lunch, it could be because of what you ate. Turns out plenty of foods actually have a sedentary effect that can have you feeling tired far quicker than expected!
1. French Fries
Foods that are heavy in carbs are guaranteed to leave you feeling tired. This is because they spike blood sugar and insulin levels, which always leads to an eventual crash. So think twice before grabbing that extra-large side of fries.
2. Chicken
Lean proteins like turkey and chicken are usually praised as being healthy for you, and while this is true, they’re also full of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that leads to serotonin and melatonin production, all factors that contribute to sleepiness.
3. Turkey Sandwiches
Building on the aforementioned tryptophan in chicken and turkey, it’s worth noting that the effects are actually stronger when you eat these meats alongside a carb. So think twice about a turkey sandwich, as the carbs can help the tryptophan get deeper into the brain.
4. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a complex carb that are high in fiber, but they’ll also tire you out as complex carbs take the body longer to digest. So just be sure to stick to small servings instead of eating a large portion that will leave you tired.
5. White Bread
While a sandwich may seem like a healthy snack, if you use too much bread or eat too many, get ready for an insulin and sugar crash. Just like pasta and rice, these high-sugar carbs can lead to fatigue later.
6. Dark Chocolate
While dark chocolate will make you feel sleepier, it’s actually beneficial and can be used methodically to help you rest at night. It contains magnesium and serotonin-boosting compounds and is known to have a relaxing effect after sleeping.
7. Pizza
Everyone adores pizza, and it’s a perfect treat for game days or evening get-togethers. But it might make your event needlessly short when you suddenly feel tired. That’s because foods like pizza are not only high in carbs but are hard to digest, making you sluggish.
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8. Diet Sodas
It turns out artificial sweeteners can contribute to chronic fatigue. This is because they cause blood sugar imbalances as well as gut disturbances in some people. Both of these factors can leave you feeling physically tired.
9. Cookies
Cookies and pastries suffer from the same fate as other sugary carbs. While the sugar may seem to give you an initial boost of energy, this will be followed by a sharp drop that’s guaranteed to leave you feeling drained and sleepy.
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10. Instant Mashed Potatoes
While it may seem like a quick and easy lunch, foods like mashed potatoes have a high glycemic index.
This means they can cause quick spikes and crashes in the blood sugar, and by doing so, lead to episodes of fatigue.
11. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken has a lot working against it. It contains tryptophan, is carb-heavy, and also diverts blood from other systems to aid in digestion, making the rest of your body feel sluggish and tired.
12. Yogurt
Eating yogurt excessively can also contribute to chronic fatigue. This is because yogurt, especially the high-protein or full-fat kind, is full of tryptophan and, well, fat obviously. Both of these create a sedating effect that may be unwanted.
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13. Bananas
Bananas are a great source of potassium, but they’re also high in magnesium. Both of these are known to help relax muscles, but this relaxation can also promote sleepiness. If you are struggling to sleep, try eating a banana.
14. Cheese
Cheese, like milk and other dairy products, is high in fat and can be sedating for some people. It also contains tryptophan, which will make you feel even sleepier when eaten in excess.
15. Chicken Alfredo
Heavy cream sauces in particular are also hard to digest and can take more resources than your body might be ready to give. That’s why pastas like chicken Alfredo are a double whammy, as they’re full of sugary carbs and draining cream sauces.
16. Ice Cream
Another heavy cream to be wary of is ice cream.
Ice cream is high in tryptophan and fats, and is most effective when consumed in large amounts. So rethink that pint unless you plan on sleeping the night away.
17. Caffeine
This may seem counterintuitive, especially since caffeine is a stimulant that is supposed to keep you up. However, like most stimulants, overusing it can lead to energy crashes. Some people are more sensitive to these fluctuations than others, but either way, you might want to be careful about drinking it around bedtime.
18. Cherry
If you’re looking for a late-night snack, there’s no better option than cherries. They’re actually soothing and contain natural melatonin that can help you regulate your sleep cycle.
19. Steak
Even red meat isn’t safe from the sluggishness, as beef is full of high fats and iron. This means your body will also take more effort to digest it, leaving you feeling tired and sleepy.
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20. Alcohol
While many people enjoy a nightcap in the evening, alcohol is a depressant, which means it makes people feel drowsy. Overall, drinking is more likely to disrupt sleep quality than bring any ease.
