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Original poster

I'm so sleepy after I eat

51 replies

TractorTart · 27/05/2019 09:49

Does anyone else get this? It's particularly after lunch I just can't keep my eyes open but also after other meals. Am I doing this eating thing wrong or something??

OP posts:
bodgersmash · 27/05/2019 13:24

I thought this was normal! Confused

It's a running joke that we have to eat out within ten minutes of home so I can come home to sleep afterwards.

justilou1 · 27/05/2019 13:55

@lillighters85 - my neurologist and endocrinologist diagnosed it. I have a heap of autoimmune issues and rapid-cycling migraines which have left tiny scars all through my brain. My neurologist suggested I try a medically supervised keto diet (as migraines I have are closely related to epilepsy) - it is not American style, all you can eat abandon version. I responded very well to the diet and coincidentally have had massive improvement with autoimmune issues, ie rheumatoid arthritis. (Have had to get all my rings sized down 4.5 sizes!) Most impressive improvements are weight loss and mental agility. I’m turning 47 this year and my skin is fabulous and I feel better than 15 years ago!

EdWinchester · 27/05/2019 13:57

If I eat any carbs like bread, pasta or rice, I could lie down and sleep. I eat salad at lunchtime or soup, and feel fine.

AwkwardSquad · 27/05/2019 14:04

I get carb coma if I eat processed carbs at lunchtime, feels as though I’ve been drugged at its worst. My bloods are fine, no diabetes, so it’s not that. I eat protein, veg, salad, fruit at lunchtime and have no problems if I stick to that.

Freyasmum1 · 27/05/2019 14:10

I get this if I overeat. Blood sugars are always perfect, but my blood pressure is low. I have quite sluggish digestion. I tend to have meal replacement or yoghurt for breakfast, snack moderately through the day, have a small portion of dinner with the kids, and then a snack before bed. If I eat say a roast dinner I fall asleep or want to.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 27/05/2019 14:37

I get this too if I eat carbohydrates at lunchtime. Bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar...they all make me fall asleep.

OP, what sort of things do you eat?

lillighters85 · 27/05/2019 15:14

Justilou1 that is so interesting, thank you. I have thyroid disease and a family history of tyle 1 diabetes so could all be linked for me too I guess... I also felt my brain was much sharper off the carbs, and I had more energy even though it made me suffer from insomnia. Thank you for sharing your experiences and I hope your migraines miraculously disappear forever xx

Original poster
TractorTart · 27/05/2019 16:03

I eat a vegetarian diet and I usually have salad for lunch in summer and soup in winter which is usually okay except I often have some kind of crisps or a bar of something too which probably doesn't help. Main culprits would be bread and potatoes I suppose if I think about it. If I go out for a meal in the evening I like to go for drinks first as if I go after I know I won't be able to drink or stay awake.

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 27/05/2019 16:20

This is interesting as sometimes I can feel myself getting sleepy before I've even finished eating.

ineedtostopbeingsolazy · 27/05/2019 16:38

If I eat carbs/sugar at lunch time I practically pass out. No diabetes or blood sugar issues.
If I eat a diet high in carbs/sugar etc I feel terrible, my body aches I get headaches am fatigued. Unfortunately I am addicted to carbs but I try everyday and feel better for it.

Kattyy · 27/05/2019 17:03

Happens to me with carbs. Pasta, bread, rice- coma or 10 espressos afterwards...

LizzieSiddal · 27/05/2019 17:03

This is very common and many people years ago used to have an afternoon nap after lunch.

I get it too (and I’m perfectly healthy), if after lunch I eat something sugary, I almost fall asleep at my desk. I could eat the same thing after tea with no effect at all.

MsMustDoBetter · 28/05/2019 00:07

I have this and I nap most days now, however I'm up at midnight so it has become a pattern.

I'm going to try to eat two healthy, light snacks two hours apart rather than lunch and see if that makes any difference.

I've had my blood checked and all was fine, however I am coping with a lot emotionally at the moment, so that might be a cause. I've always found sleep to be an escape from stress.

managedmis · 28/05/2019 02:02

If I eat carbs/sugar at lunch time I practically pass out. No diabetes or blood sugar issues.

^^

Er... Sounds like maybe you do?

Orangeballon · 28/05/2019 02:11

Carbs make you sleepy, eat foods that are lower in carbs, stay away from white flour, white rice, white pasta and potatoes until you work out which are the best food combos for you.

stopgap · 28/05/2019 02:34

I also have thyroid issues, PCOS, and insulin resistance. My A1C has been up to 6.0 twice in the last couple of years, so I keep my carb intake low, although I do eat low GI fruits and a bit of squash here and there, as no carb seems to aggravate my Hashimoto’s.

I also have the night-waking insomnia, which my doctor said can either be adrenal gland issues because of my thyroid, or blood sugar, as T2 is very prevalent in my wider family. We keep a really close eye on my A1C, as I’ve already had gestational diabetes and was on insulin within one week during pregnancy, despite being very thin and following a low-carb diet.

OldGreyBoots · 28/05/2019 03:37

Just to say, conversely, that I'm diabetic and never had tiredness post-eating, even before I received treatment. Definitely get checked out but it's not a guaranteed thing!

Whatareyoutalkingabout · 28/05/2019 06:07

In many countries it's totally normal to nap after lunch. Where I live now, all school and offices will have a two hour lunch break - one hour for eating, and one for sleeping. It's lovely!

Alwaysthesun · 28/05/2019 06:15

I used to get this until tests revealed I was highly intolerant of dairy and gluten. I was trapped in a cycle where my body craved them like a high, but then I'd be so sleepy later as my body tried to process all this stuff it couldn't handle.

NearlySchoolTimeAgain · 28/05/2019 06:18

I call it a carb coma. I get so sleepy. A low carb high fat diet totally stops the afternoon drowsiness for me.

cushioncovers · 28/05/2019 06:21

Yep this happens to me but only at lunchtime. If I have a big carby meal I'm so sleepy afterwards it's a struggle to do my job properly. It seems to wear off after about two hours though. I hadn't really put two and two together until I saw this thread.

I had a big pasta meal for lunch one day last week and could barely string a sentence together afterwards I was so sleepy.

MrsMozartMkII · 28/05/2019 07:11

Me too.

Tested for T2 and don't have it.

Lunches now consist of salad leaves, baby tomatoes (love trying the different varieties), ham / tuna / pate, and oat cakes (there's quite a few different flavours). Any more than that and I'm useless in the afternoons.

LellyMcKelly · 28/05/2019 07:29

We are definitely predisposed to a nap after lunch. It’s called post lunch dip and is one of the reasons so many countries have a few hours for a siesta built into their working days. A former colleague used to shut his office door and have a 20 minute rest after lunch every day.

stucknoue · 28/05/2019 07:35

It's actually really normal, humans are "designed" to nap! Some people just can cope better than others

Original poster
TractorTart · 28/05/2019 13:44

Just had salad and quorn and a banana. Could actually sleep, like I'm drugged

OP posts:
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