Tired after eating?

Feeling tired after dinner, we’ve all been there. You crash down on the couch after dinner, completely exhausted. While you actually want to feel energetic and fit after eating your meal. We’re giving you 4 simple tips so you can beat the after dinner dip, even tonight!

1. Skip quick-carbs and bad sugars

Whenever you eat, your blood sugar rises. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because you do get energy from it, but when you eat fast (refined) sugars, your blood sugar rises very quickly. Following this high peak is a great downfall: this is why you feel so tired all of a sudden. Meanwhile your body is working hard to revert the balance, but that too costs energy. It’s a smart move to avoid the fast sugars, like: fast food, candy, energy drinks, and instead choose to eat slow carbohydrates like whole-wheat products or fruits. Besides, these whole-wheat products will also nourish your body with a ton of fibres, which in turn help smoothen your digestive system. This way you will feel a lot less tired after eating!

2. Don’t eat too much

Your small intestine reacts intensely when eating rather large portions. It has to work really hard to digest your meal. Your heart rate and breathing decrease as more blood starts flowing to your stomach. All of your energy is currently being used to digest: so it makes sense you’re feeling tired. The more you eat, the more energy gets sent to your digestive system. And this works both ways, you now have less energy left that’s being sent to your brain and muscles. Rather than eating large portions of food, go small on rations so you prevent an after dinner dip. The sensible point to stop eating is when you feel 80% full.

3. Eat slower

Besides diminishing your portions you can also try eating slower, to help your battle against the after dinner dip. This is where energy comes around again: the quicker you eat, the quicker your digestive system needs to work and the more energy it costs you. Ever heard of mindful eating? Take your phone off the table and start focussing on each and every bite you take. Taste the flavours and textures, chew thoroughly. This is a good way to force yourself to eat slower and feel less tired after a meal. An additional benefit of eating slower is the time you now have to enjoy your meal to the fullest.

4. Often tired after eating? Try liquid foods

Doctor William Orr, American University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Centre, has proven that the digestion of solid foods costs a tremendous amount of energy, which in turn can make you tired. A big plate of potatoes isn’t so advantageous to your productivity or you feeling fit. Shakes could just be your solution. The vegan meal replacement drink by Jake contain all the nutrients your body needs. Besides, the liquid meal is less intensive on your digestive system than solid foods, making it easier to digest. The result: no after dinner dip! You can go back to what you were doing, and feel fit doing it.

Jake makes complete food, like healthy meal replacement shakes. Our products contain all the nutrients your body needs – easy and quick, in one meal. Want to try Jake? Click here