How to avoid the mid afternoon energy crash - and subsequent carb cravings?

[Slouchy]

When I am tired, I crave bread, cake, carby, starchy stuff. If I allow myself to, I will eat far more than I could possibly need - 2 buttered hot cross buns just this pm? I am at my tiredest between 1 and 3 pm. A siesta would do it, but working some days plus a 3yo and a school run to do don't allow it.
I've lost half a stone recently, largely because I've changed my eating patterns and now have my main meal at lunchtime to combat the tiredness/energy dip. But this has been possible cos DH has been working away for 8 weeks - he is back soon and will want us to sit down for dinner togther in the evening. I forsee a return to type (see above).

Anyone else have this prob? and how have you dealt with it?

I do get the same thing, and when I worked in an office would put my head in my hands and then realise I'd fallen asleep every single day. I guess we are genetically Spanish somewhere way back!

Have an instant miso soup and see if you still crave the bread afterwards. Miso soup will be the last thing you want, but still give it a try. Also try green tea or jasmine tea, they sometimes make me a bit perkier. Obviously you already know that the carbs just make you sleepier. Go outside for a breath of fresh air. There's not much you can do when you get that heavy feeling! I sympathise.

How about distraction? If you possibly can plan something easy/absorbing to do early pm so your mind will be less on food.

At the office there are certain tasks I can just get on with and other things which are often "too hard" and are difficult to get into.

At home going to the park or tackling the housework work for me.