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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Nutrition > Tired after meals
    Posted on: 07/28/2003

    Question

    Is it normal to fall asleep after eating any sort of sugary or carbohydrate-filled meal?

    Every single time I eat pasta, I fall asleep afterwards. I've tried to avoid it, but I just get SO tired + drained afterwards that I can't help it. This also occurs when I eat fruit (but significant amounts of it... one nectarine with half of a bowl of oatmeal doesn't bother me) or sugary things (cookies, pastries, cake... anything that is full of sugar + white flour, I guess).

    Normally, I'll eat + then feel groggy + I can typically feel myself sort of drifting off to sleep. My heart rate seems to be increased, as well. I usually fall asleep for about 4 - 5 hours + when I wake up, I feel hot + groggy... like I'm in a fog.

    So is this normal? Or is it indicative of some sort of problem? Also, what sort of dietary guidelines should I follow to avoid this sort of thing? Is it necessary to just avoid most carbohydrates +/or refined sugars?


    Answer

    It is normal to feel tired and groggy after any meal - but particularly after a carbohydrate packed meal. Your body focuses on digesting the food, rather than activity, so that's why you feel tired.


    Answered By:
    Elizabeth Lee , M.D.


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