Feeling Sleepy After Meals? Doctor Reveals Hidden Reasons Behind Post-Lunch Slump
"It is not just about the food itself, but also how your body naturally reacts after eating," says Dr Saurabh Sethi.
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Feeling sleepy or low on energy right after a meal is something almost everyone experiences at some point. You may be doing everything "right", such as choosing salads, lean proteins, and whole grains, but still feeling sleepy, heavy, or low on energy after meals.
However, according to AIIMS and Stanford-trained gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi, it is not just about the food itself, but also how your body naturally reacts after eating. He says that a bit of post-meal tiredness is completely normal and not always a sign that something is wrong.
Sethi's Instagram post explains that your body shifts into what is called the "rest and digest" mode after you eat. This means more blood flow is directed towards your stomach and intestines to help break down the food properly. Because of this, you may start feeling more relaxed, calm, and even sleepy.
However, he also mentions that what you eat also plays a big role in how tired you feel.
"Blood flow increases to the GI system to help break down food. This naturally makes you feel more relaxed or tired. But here is what many people don't realize," he says.