Have you ever wondered why your energy levels seem to take a nosedive around 3 P.M? It is not because you are coming down with something; your favorite lunch, breakfast or snack food is probably the culprit why you are getting tired in the afternoons. Chef Ido Fishman says that are certain foods that are considered big energy sappers and you need to avoid the foods that have you snoozing if you don’t want your routine to be affected. Some of the top foods that make you tired are:
Red Meat
Read meats such as hamburgers and steak have a high fat content, which leave you feeling tired and drowsy. Breaking these fats down can take a great deal of energy and your body is focused on exactly that. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that your brain function slows down and you start losing focus after eating red meat.
Sweets
Sure, you always turn to sweets when you want to give yourself a sugar-rush as it means that you will get a boost of energy. However, you should bear in mind that having them after lunch will lead to a sugar-crash eventually and will make you sleepy. Insulin is released when you consume a lot of sugar and this frees up too much of tryptophan, an amino acid, in the brain. It is best to avoid any sugar-laden items and sweets unless you have the luxury of becoming sleepy.
White Bread
When you are choosing carbohydrates with a high glycemic index such as white rice rather than brown rice or white bread in place of whole-wheat bread. This is not beneficial because you are depriving your body of the key elements that aid in keeping in satiated and strong. Carbs with a high glycemic index don’t have a lot of fiber so they can be broken down easily. Therefore, they are unable to supply you with the steady stream of energy you want.
Cherries
Research has indicated that due to their high content of melatonin, tart cherry juice and cherries work as a sleep aid. It is an extremely poor as a midday choice when you have a pile of work to do and cannot afford dozing off.
Coffee
Your tiredness may be caused by caffeine-rich drinks such as tea and coffee; that doesn’t seem right because they are renowned for providing you energy. Yes, these caffeinated beverages do provide you with a short burst of energy, but eventually you will crash and burn as the effect of caffeine begins to wear off.
Salmon
Chef Ido Fishman agrees that salmon is undoubtedly nutritious and delicious and you cannot resist eating it, but it is also packed with vitamin B6. This doesn’t work out well when you don’t want to feel tired and sleepy because this ingredient is needed for making the sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin.
Walnuts
These also contain the amino acid tryptophan and also have their own source of melatonin, which is going to take a toll on your energy levels.
