Why Do You Get Sleepy After You Eat. Image Source: Metro Pixie

Why Do You Get Sleepy After You Eat

Are you someone who gets sleepy after a meal? Have you ever wondered why this happens?

Drowsiness after eating is a response of the body to chemical changes during the digestion process. This is normal and it happens to everybody.

Eating is supposed to give you energy, so why would you get tired after dinner time? When we experience fatigue after eating a meal, it can feel like we need to crawl into bed and dive into a deep sleep for a few hours. Before you blame it on the type of food or lack of sleep, it’s important to understand how the body reacts to eating.

Whenever our stomach is full, we feel sleepy. Don’t worry it’s not just you, everybody suffers from this. However, sleepiness can be caused by many factors, such as the type of food you consume, messy sleeping habits, your health condition and so forth. So, let’s talk about some of the factors that cause you to feel sleepy:

Digestive System and Brain Hormones

Digestive system. Image Source: Youtube

Digestive system. Image Source: YouTube

Our body requires energy to function and this energy is obtained through food. Our digestive system breaks it down into glucose with the release of amylin, glucagon, and cholecystokinin hormones. These hormones are responsible for increasing blood sugar levels, providing the state of fullness, and producing insulin for our energy levels.

Moreover, food also influences melatonin production in the brain. This is the hormone that is responsible for sleepiness. It is a body functioning method so sleeping in proper time can help you prevent post-meal sleepiness.

Over-eating

Over-eating. Image Source: Gain ridiculous health

Over-eating. Image Source: Gain ridiculous health

Overeating can also cause sleepiness. Post-meal, the body streams more blood to the digestive system to better digest foods in massive amounts. This causes a temporary blood and nutrients shortage in the brain and leads to sleepiness.

To prevent sleepiness, it’s better to eat a balanced diet containing vegetables, grains, and good fats to provide continuous energy. Drink lots of fluids and limit your sugar intake. Eating smaller meals but more frequently can also help preserve energy so you don’t feel drowsy post-meal.

Sleeping Habits

Sleeping habits. Image Source: Stylewithglamour

Sleeping habits. Image Source: Stylewithglamour

Bad sleeping patterns can also cause sleepiness. After a meal, the body feels full and relaxed, making the body feel like it is resting, resulting in a feeling of sleepiness, particularly if you didn’t get a good night’s sleep the night before.

You might want to improve our sleeping habits to prevent stress. Engaging in regular physical exercise can help you get a good night’s sleep. It is recommended that you avoid napping if you are having trouble sleeping at night.

Health Condition

Health condition. Image Source: Google

Health condition. Image Source: Google

If you frequently feel drowsy after a meal, it may be a sign of diseases such as celiac disease, anemia, food intolerance, allergies, and relatively inactive thyroids. Consult your doctor if you suffer from these conditions or if you frequently fall asleep after having a meal.

After a meal, sleepiness can also be a sign that you are deficient in certain nutrients. Nutritional deficiencies can make it difficult for food to be digested due to a poor digestive system. As a result, you will not have enough energy to support your daily activities and you will thus feel drowsy all day long.

Skipping Meals

There is no excuse for missing a meal, especially breakfast. Having a proper meal is important, as it sets the tone for our energy levels. By skipping meals, you are more likely to munch on or grab unhealthy snacks and meals, such as fast food, to compensate. This will increase the feeling of sleepiness after eating.

To prevent this, start your day with healthy food which will help you prevent low energy levels and increase your mental and physical functioning throughout the day.

Next time you feel sleepy after having your meal and wonder what the reason is, remember to go through these above-mentioned points.

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