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What is a food coma? -

Food coma, also known as postprandial somnolence or sleepiness, is basically an energy drop that kicks in after a meal. The reasons behind this are based on your body's biology.

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What are the causes of a food coma? -

There are currently two theories to why food coma happens. One is that eating a meal filled with high-carb and high-sugar foods, like white bread, causes your blood sugar to spike. And then when it crashes, it can lead to food coma.

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What are the causes of a food coma? -

The second theory is that there is a 'switch' in your body that controls "rest and digest." When you eat a large meal, the rest and digest switch flips on and stimulates your vagus nerve, which is responsible for regulating your emotions. In this sense, your vagus nerve communicates to your body that it's time to rest.

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Other theories -

Some health experts say that food coma is caused by a slight shift in blood flow away from the brain to the digestive organs. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which regulates your heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

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Other theories -

The PNS is triggered when the stomach expands from eating a big meal. As a result of the PNS signals, blood flow gets directed to the working digestive organs, and less goes to the brain. This blood flow diversion causes you to feel sleepy. Now that you know what food coma is, check out the next slides on how to prevent and cure it.

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Maintain a regular sleep schedule -

Avoid eating a large meal if you're sleep-deprived. A lack of sleep contributes to food coma, so make sure you're getting a good seven to eight hours of shut-eye every night.

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Don't eat like it's your final meal -

When eating a lot of food, your body is focusing most of its energy on digesting this huge amount. The best way to not fall victim to food coma is to eat slowly and in fewer amounts.

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Eat smaller meals -

Portion size is a big factor, so try to limit the size of your meals to prevent that tired, groggy feeling from popping up. It will definitely make you feel better during the day.

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Time your meals right -

Eating a smaller late dinner might actually help you sleep better at the beginning of the night. But careful not to exaggerate in the portion size, as it can put you at a higher risk for diseases like high blood pressure and obesity.

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Balance macronutrients - You don't have to avoid carbs altogether. Just add some protein, healthy fats, and veggies to round out your plate. The key is to keep it balanced.

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Drink water -

If you have food coma, drinking water can help cure it. You may be tempted to skip that glass of water, but your body needs the hydration. Drinking more water will help your digestive system flush out the extra sodium that’s causing you to bloat.

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Eat a light breakfast -

The next morning, after your food coma, you might still be feeling full and tempted to skip breakfast. But that will only leave your blood sugar level too low. So to avoid this, make a nice green breakfast smoothie.

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Go for a walk -

Some brisk activity like a walk can get your digestive tract moving, as well as wake you up from that food fatigue. So put on your sneakers and head on out.

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Drink a cup of tea -

A soothing cup of tea is great if you're feeling uncomfortably full after dinner. It's an ideal way to give your body much-needed fluids. Brew some mint or green tea, as it can settle your stomach.

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Stick to soups or salads -

Because your body is working hard to break down and digest a big meal, stick with soups or salads for your next meal. This will keep your digestive tract moving while helping you stay energized.

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Skip the booze -

Alcohol will only make your food coma worse. If you have overeaten at a party, take a break from alcoholic drinks and have a glass of water instead.

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Increase fruits and veggies -

If you're still craving something after a big meal, stick with a hydrating fruit like watermelon, or veggies high in fiber. This will help you feel better fast.

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Try a yoga twist -

Yoga is great to break you out of your food coma, as it's soothing and gentle. Twisting poses stimulate digestion, so try one a few hours after your big meal.

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Drink black coffee -

Drinking a warm cup of black coffee after dinner is a great way to wake you up without adding any extra sugar or calories to your body. It's the perfect post-meal treat.

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Don't be fooled by fruit drinks -

Fruit drinks are not the same as fruit or freshly-squeezed orange juice. It's mostly just sugar, which is not what you need during a food coma.

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Get moving -

If you're not feeling like going for a post-dinner walk, then pump up the tunes and start a dance party. It's a fun way to shake off your food coma, alone or even with company.

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Be careful with fruit -

Be careful not to overdo it with fruit during your food coma. Glucose and fructose naturally occur in fruits, and these are simple sugars that will just add to the sluggishness.

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Eat some complex carbs -

Eat some complex carbs like whole grain or whole wheat. Include some oatmeal, rye bread, and beans, to balance out all the high-carb foods you've been eating.

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Chew gum -

Chewing gum can help, as it stimulates saliva, which stimulates stomach acid and helps move the stomach contents to the small intestine.

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Eat some probiotics -

While probiotics might not help immediately, eating some yogurt can help relieve symptoms of bloating, diarrhea, or constipation you might be feeling.

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Put away the sweets -

Eating too much sugar will only result in a crash later, which doesn't help when you're in a food coma. So put away that cake or dessert pudding for another time.

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Add some cinnamon to your meals -

Cinnamon helps keep your blood sugar levels low after eating. So try to add some sprinkle of it to your meals or add a cinnamon stick in your tea.

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Eat lighter the next day -

After a heavy meal, try to eat a little lighter the next day. This way your liver gets a chance to clear out the extra glucose that has accumulated in your system.

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Wait it out -

After trying out some of these tips, remember that time is the greatest healer. Don't be too hard on yourself for overindulging once in a while–just make sure to give your body some time to feel better.

Sources: (Women's Health) (Taste of Home) (GQ) (Verywell Fit)

See also: How does a modern lifestyle impact the gut?

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