How To Increase Energy In The Afternoon With Meals?

Ivan Red Jr. Author: Ivan Red Jr. Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022
How To Increase Energy In The Afternoon With Meals?

After lunch, most people usually begin to feel drowsy and tired. Why do they appear and how to overcome them?

Usually in the morning you arrive at the office full of energy and start ticking off a number of tasks. However, it's time for lunch, you take a short break, planning the rest of the tasks until the end of the day. Instead, however, around 2:00 pm, you find that your attention and focus are hovering and that you really need an afternoon nap. 
 
Does it sound familiar to you? Although many would admit to this awkward situation, the more important question is how we can get a quick energy surge to help us keep working.
 

What causes afternoon fatigue?

 
Let's first unravel the cause of this sharp energy decline. Experts explain that most likely the fault lies with the body's biological clock, which is "tuned" in a way that is inconvenient for us. The researchers' observations found that an extremely large number of people begin to feel drowsy around 14:00 - 15:00 every day. 
 
In some cultures, an afternoon nap is provided , and people report feeling more productive and able to concentrate if they rest after lunch and then return to work. 
 
Experts explain that afternoon drowsiness is a mini-version of the dizziness that is characteristic of the moment, just before bedtime. 
 
The phenomenon has something to do with the drop in body temperature in the torso. Just before going to bed at night, it begins to fall, which signals the brain to release melatonin - the sleep hormone . The same thing, but on a smaller scale, happens between 14:00 and 15:00. 
 
However, you should not blame only the body's biological clock. It is related to the feeling of drowsiness , but the foods that most people eat are responsible for fatigue, as they lead to energy breakdown.
 

How to prevent afternoon fatigue?

 
To do this, you need to start in the morning - with a quality breakfast . Most women need 300-400 calories for breakfast, and most men need about 500. Instead of coffee and half a donut, try one of the following suggestions:
 
  • Bowl of oatmeal with skim milk and fresh fruit.
  • Two toasted slices with peanut butter and banana.
 
The body needs carbohydrates so that the brain and muscles can function better. Studies have found that adding protein to them increases concentration. Then one feels better, both physically and mentally.
 
 
Well fed for breakfast , if you think it's no problem to skip lunch or eat only salad, because it is light, and you need to lose some weight , you are making a big mistake. 
 
When there are only vegetables in it, it means that there is a lack of protein, and the result is a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness . 
 
In these cases, it is advisable to add egg, chicken or turkey breast to the salad. You can also spread a little peanut butter on celery.
 
Fat- rich foods should also be avoided for lunch , as it takes longer for the stomach to break them down, leaving the feeling of heaviness for longer.

About | Privacy | Marketing | Cookies | Contact us

All rights reserved © ThisNutrition 2018-2024

Medical Disclaimer: All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that each post may contain affiliate and/or referral links, in which I receive a very small commission for referring readers to these companies.