Why do I feel tired after I eat? There are so many distinct factors that might be making you tired, which are stress, lack of sleep or not eating food. There was a 2023 review study that revealed that there are certain meal components that my induce drowsiness.
Those foods have tryptophan, the body metabolizes this, and this helps to produce serotonin. It is important to know that serotonin is a chemical that regulates our mood and sleep cycle.
Why do I feel tired after I eat? iStock-photo credit: Drazen Zigic
The dietary foods that have tryptophan are:
- Salmon
- Fish
- Shrimp
- Chicken
- Red meat such as beef, steak, etc.
- Buckwheat
The UK national health service suggested at diet that consists of unhealthy or unbalanced foods can contribute to fatigue and tiredness. And the reason is that a diet that is unhealthy or unbalanced lacks sufficient vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly with appropriate energy.
Some of the other factors outside of food that may contribute to being tired or fatigue are:
- Not exercising enough
- Not getting enough sleep
- Chronic Stress
- Depression
- Hormonal changes
- Chemotherapy
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Not drinking enough water
- Not eating enough food
If you are continuously tired after eating and this happens often then you may need to contact your doctor. And make sure there aren’t any underlying health problems going on with your body.
The Bottom Line is there are so many factors that can make you tired or drowsy after eating. If you are eating a large meal that contains a high amount of tryptophan that can potentially cause drowsiness.
Also, other factors could be stress, eating in an unbalanced and unhealthy way, not exercising or not eating enough food.
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References
- Lehrskov LL, Dorph E, Widmer AM, Hepprich M, Siegenthaler J, Timper K, Donath MY. The role of IL-1 in postprandial fatigue. Mol Metab. 2018 Jun;12:107-112. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.04.001. Epub 2018 Apr 12. PMID: 29705519; PMCID: PMC6001918.
- The American Heart Association- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/what-is-healthy-eating
- Zuraikat FM, Wood RA, Barragán R, St-Onge MP. Sleep and Diet: Mounting Evidence of a Cyclical Relationship. Annu Rev Nutr. 2021 Oct 11;41:309-332. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-120420-021719. Epub 2021 Aug 4. PMID: 34348025; PMCID: PMC8511346.
- Yoshitake R, Park I, Ogata H, Omi N. Meal Timing and Sleeping Energy Metabolism. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 2;15(3):763. doi: 10.3390/nu15030763. PMID: 36771468; PMCID: PMC9919906.
