Afternoon fatigue: 9 lunch foods that can drain your energy
Foods that trigger afternoon fatigue
At 3pm on the dot, your eyes start to feel heavy, body posture sinks down, and your head nods back and forth. You’re suddenly overcome by a feeling of fatigue and grogginess. This is afternoon fatigue. It’s no surprise this afternoon slump sets in after lunch. The body’s circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times of the day. This may prompt you to ‘take a nap’ between 1-3pm, but it varies by person. Dietitian, Rachel Fine, explains why eating an energy-fuelled lunch can help you avoid the afternoon crash. “Eating lunch keeps your body fuelled and your metabolism active. When we fuel our body, we avoid dips in energy that lead to an afternoon of sluggishness and cravings,” says Fine. It’s also important for your lunch to be rich in nutrients. “Ideally, your lunch should have a healthy mix of complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, plus protein and healthy fats for satiety. Add some non-starchy vegetables for bulk and fibre,” says nutritionist, Rania Batayneh. Now, here are the 9 foods to avoid to prevent falling into an afternoon slump.