What! Food Coma? Is it a real thing?
- April 09, 2022
- gdmadmin
A food coma may sound like a serious condition but it is not. A food coma is a state where you feel drowsy or sleepy after having a meal. It usually occurs within an hour of finishing your food and can last for up to 3 hours. There are several reasons why this might happen, including the amount and type of food you have eaten, how quickly it was digested, the level of hydration you are carrying around with you at the time, your overall fitness, and your health condition. The medical term for food coma is “Postprandial somnolence”. Many kinds of research have been done about this but there are no specific results or answers about what are the causes of a food coma.
In a simple language, what is a food coma? I'd say the meal you just had was probably a bit bigger or more carbohydrate-heavy than you'd normally eat. Your belly is bloated and you feel like you just ran a marathon. A food coma is commonly referred to as a lethargic, stuffed feeling.
Having this feeling occasionally is normal, depending on your diet, but if you're experiencing it frequently, you may want to discuss this with your doctor, who can identify and treat the underlying cause. One of the major issues can be thyroid or you might have some allergies.
Among Chinese truck drivers who primarily ate vegetables and staple foods such as grains, dairy products, and eggs, those who ate more vegetables and staple foods were less likely to exhibit unsafe driving behavior than those who ate primarily meat and fish. According to the researchers, this might be due to different fatigue symptoms following eating.
Food varieties that are high in tryptophan incorporate chicken, turkey, tofu, milk, beans, fish, nuts, seeds and egg whites, and so forth. Food varieties that are high in sugars incorporate refined or exceptionally handled food sources, like white bread, baked goods, soft drinks boring food varieties, for example, pasta, potatoes, rice grains, including oats and quinoa
What are the ways to prevent it?
- Don’t be swallowed by the couch Vitalize your muscles after a major dinner with a short walk or any movement. Movement can fortify your body to keep food coma effects under control. Getting active overall can build your energy levels and help with digestion. Movement like strolling after dinner further develops glucose levels, which may likewise help lessen fatigue.
- Drink more According to most experts, solid foods can cause that familiar feeling of sleepiness after a meal. After lunch or dinner, it might be helpful to consume a smaller meal with some liquid, such as soup or smoothie, to help you stay alert. Generally, water also keeps you fresh and awake.
- Sleep better You may be more likely to reach for high-calorie and fatty foods when you are sleep deprived, which can also contribute to post-meal fatigue. A sluggish feeling is even more likely with these foods, as they may not provide you with the energy you need. In studies, a quick dose after lunch may lead to an increase in cognitive performance for the remainder of the afternoon.
- Eat-in smaller portions The vegetable portion of a meal should be boosted in the afternoon and carb- or protein-heavy meals avoided in the evening. In order to increase your energy and prevent fatigue, choose a variety of foods from a variety of nutritional groups as part of a balanced meal, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein sources. In addition to iron and B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and carnitine, there are a number of others.