Why am I exhausted after eating? Some of the common causes of food fatigue are eating large or heavy meals that are high in fats or heavy carbohydrates. And the reason for fatigue is that eating like this directs your energy and blood flow towards your digestive system. Other studies suggest that eating a large amount of food triggers the release of hormones that affect your brain’s sleep centers.
Drinking alcohol along with a meal is known to cause sleepiness and make you feel tired. A dramatic underlying health condition that happens after you experience a huge blood sugar crash after eating meals is called postprandial hypoglycemia. This occurs about 2 to 5 hours after a meal and the effect of this is sleepiness and tiredness.
Why am I exhausted after eating? Istock-photo credit: Drazen Zigic
Postprandial hypogylcemia is common with people who have health conditions such as Diabetes, Liver Disease, prediabetes or any thyroid/hormonal related problems. If you are insulin resistance that will make you susceptible to feeling tired after eating a large meal.
Insulin resistance is common for people that have Diabetes and some of the factors that increase the risk of becoming insulin resistance are:
- A high amount of physical inactivity
- A high amount of chronic stress
- Having a BMI of over 30.
One of the different ways you can avoid feeling sleepy after eating a large meal is the following:
- Eating a balanced healthy meal that has high nutrient rich foods that can enhance your energy levels.
- Limiting your alcohol consumption.
- Getting enough quality sleep like 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
- Being exposed to Sunlight so you can get adequate Vitamin D from it.
- One of the best vitamins you can take to treat fatigue is Vitamin B-12, iron and folate.
The Bottom Line is that it is normal to feel exhausted after eating a large meal, especially if it has a high amount of fats. And if you accompany that meal with alcohol that would induce fatigue and tiredness.
A study revealed the reason for this type of fatigue is it directs your energy and blood flow towards your digestive system. Other studies reveal that eating a large amount of food triggers the release of hormones that affect your brain’s sleep center.
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References
- Kvietys PR. The Gastrointestinal Circulation. San Rafael (CA): Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences; 2010. Chapter 5, Postprandial Hyperemia. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53094/
- Debunking a myth: neurohormonal and vagal modulation of sleep centers, not redistribution of blood flow, may account for postprandial somnolence
Kimberly A. Bazar a, A.Joon Yun b, Patrick Y. Lee b
Department of Dermatology, San Mateo Medical Center, 222 West 39th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA. Department of Radiology, Stanford University, USA
Received 21 April 2004, Accepted 23 April 2004, Available online 4 June 2004.
- Stahl ML, Orr WC, Bollinger C. Postprandial sleepiness: objective documentation via polysomnography. Sleep. 1983;6(1):29-35. doi: 10.1093/sleep/6.1.29. PMID: 6844795.
