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Getting tired after eating

Legba

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 1, 2008
44
0
52
Indiana
I work 12 hours a day and walk an average of 7 miles a day at work. I stopped drinking soda and have lost 8 pounds just from that. My problem is every time I eat 30 minutes later I'm ready for a nap. It doesn't matter what I eat. I can munch on grapes,cucumbers,green peppers, or eat a chicken sandwich it doesn't matter I still have a hard time keeping my eyes open. I'm eating about every 2 hours so getting tired like I do sucks. Do any of you know what is going on? Point me in the right direction? Any advice/information would be greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Doesn't sound normal. I might tell you to go see a doctor to see if there is an underlying medical condition.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

What exactly are you eating and how much of it?
There could be several problems. You could be carb loading, you could have poor metabolism, you could have a thyroid problem. Dont be inactive after you eat. Get up and walk around, or snack while you walk.
I work 12 hours shifts, and I usually have a sandwich when I get to work and about 6-8 hours later. After I eat, I always stay active for at least an hour.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: In da weeds</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What exactly are you eating and how much of it?
There could be several problems. You could be carb loading, you could have poor metabolism, you could have a thyroid problem. Dont be inactive after you eat. Get up and walk around, or snack while you walk.
I work 12 hours shifts, and I usually have a sandwich when I get to work and about 6-8 hours later. After I eat, I always stay active for at least an hour. </div></div>

I eat about 7:30am which is an 1.5 hours after start of my shift. I will usually eat a ham sandwich or chicken sandwich. About 9:30 I'll munch on grapes or cut vegetables while walking around on the floor. I wash all this down with skim milk. At lunch at 12:00 I will just usually eat more veggies or some fruit. About 2pm I will have 1 more sandwich. Then the rest of the day it's fruit or veggies. Granted when I'm walking around it's a little better but still feel myself get tired after eating. I'm on the go the whole 12 hours. I have a doctor appointment later this week but wanted to see what you guys had to say.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Im not a doc or anything but may be low blood sugar. Also seems like a lot of walking based on what I assume is a sub 2000 calorie diet. Have you tried taking a vitamin stack? That helps me a ton getting through the day.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

It can be a million different things. The first thing that comes to mind, and this is just a guess, your doctor told you to lose the weight because you are borderline Type II Diabetes?... Again, just a guess.

You recently lost weight which is awesome. Something tells me that this diet of yours and exercise is new. If that's the case it is normal to feel tired or fatigue especially after working out and even after eating. When you eat, your parasympathetic system goes into action which effectively relaxes you. When you are in a relaxed state you will feel the residual of the new exercise and diet program. You are also metabolizing fat which means your body is doing something that it isn't used to doing.

Another thing you mention is eating fruits (or veggies) for the rest of the day. Stay away from the fruits after lunch. Fruit is naturally packed with sugar. Your body is now effectively metabolizing fat so don't give it any instant action sugar. Sugar that goes unused will be stored and you're asking your body to do a lot by metabolizing both. Carbs are complex sugar and are also in fruit. Once broken down, unused carbs turn to sugar and then go into fat storage.

Again, I am not a doctor and advise over the internet isn't worth what you pay for it. Disclaimer: The above information may be incorrect but reflects how I understand it.

Check out this website for other possibilities.
Fatigue After Eating
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Bowman- Haven't been to the doctor yet. Just got tired of watching my self get round so I just started cutting out the junk. Still trying to find a good diet that works. The 6 days of 12hrs makes it hard for the exercise part but it's going to happen. Tired of the the way I feel and look. Thank you for your input.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Legba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks all for the suggestions.

Bowman- Haven't been to the doctor yet. Just got tired of watching my self get round so I just started cutting out the junk. Still trying to find a good diet that works. The 6 days of 12hrs makes it hard for the exercise part but it's going to happen. Tired of the the way I feel and look. Thank you for your input.</div></div>

I'm in the same situation. I blame the fatigue after eating on age, lack of exercise, and redundant work schedule. One thing I will say though, before I fell off the exercise wagon the last time, I felt better than I could remember! I'm getting back to a work out program.....I think it will help you too!
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Based on all of those foods you listed, what you are describing is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. It is a common reaction and varies among individuals.

What you are experiencing is a combination of blood being diverted away from peripheral limbs to the core in order to facilitate digestion and the subsequent release of insulin. The insulin is a response to high glycemic index foods that stimulate a release of insulin without actual glucose supplies to merge with. The combination of these two factors make some people tired after eating.

My credentials are a BS in Biology and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Candidate.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TrooperBrian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
What you are experiencing is a combination of blood being diverted away from peripheral limbs to the core in order to facilitate digestion and the subsequent release of insulin. The insulin is a response to high glycemic index foods that stimulate a release of insulin without actual glucose supplies to merge with. The combination of these two factors make some people tired after eating.
</div></div>

this is pretty accurate
all sugars are not created equal , the body processes then differantly , though all cause an insulin response at some point , just some do it slower. I would not be to concerned with this happening after sncaking on a sandwich or fruit , but if it happens after snacking on veggies or meat and cheese then i would certainly see the Dr and see if you might have some insulin troubles.
Skim milk is high in sugar though the glycemin index isin't that high is does have an implact on the blood glucose.

try adding a little good fats to your snacks like some Olive oil mayo to the vegiaes and natural peanut butter to the fruit , the fats will drasticly slow the insulin response and slow digestion some , or snack on higher protein food like jerky or cold cuts.

for those of you who like to have carbs in your diet as snacks and what not i highly recomend trying this supplement
http://www.trueprotein.com/Product_Details.aspx?cid=25&pid=6967
it is a very effective glucose disposal agent , it will allow you to have some carbs and still keep the blood glucose lower allowing for more effecient fat loss , it works almost as well as the dibetic drug "Glucophage" without the gastric upset
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

There are a lot of explanations, but I think it's one of the following, which are the most common for me.

Carbs- they slow you down if your stagnant.
Water- slam water when you start getting tired. Colder the better.
Allergies- check for food allergies. Very common. Wheat, soy, gluten. Getting tired from eating certain things is a common symptom. For instance, your sandwiches have bread. That combo knocks me out everytime.

Try focusing on meat. Eating 5 oz of meat should not slow you down. Tailor other calories after that to your goals.

Portion size- eat less. Unless your gaining weight, your body needs to be fueled, not fed. So if your sitting in a cubicle all day, you don't need to eat much for every meal. Focus on a little protein.

Take stimulants if you want. Always helps me negate any of the above.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Thanks guys! A lot of information to help tune the diet. I cut out the milk and bread today and slammed water all day. Didn't bog down till the last half hour of the day. The exercise routine will be next to figure out after this. Thanks again guys.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

I higfhly suggest you keep a little log for a few days , every time you stick somthing in your mouth jot it down , this way you can figure out exactly how many cals and what portions you are getting in a day.
This is especialy important if your fixing to start working out , you don't want your cals to low or you will end up fighting your body to lose fat.

log it down and if you want i'll figure up the cals and percentages for you , i have a HUGE bunch of info stored on just about everything you can eat
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Check out the Paleo or the Zone diet. I've been on the Paleo Diet for almost a year and I feel great. I'd also recommend tracking your food with FitDay or Lose it! The problem could also be that your body isn't still adapting to the lack of caffeine from the soda. It could just take some time.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

A quick trip to the doctor to check your labs, and JJ suggested a logbook. Not sure if you have a iphone or droid, but there are some great apps that track your calorie intake based on food type. There are thousands of entries from produce to fast food. Also if you are over 40 have him check your hormone levels.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

Yea, I would knock out the bread during the day. IN the morning is OK, but the carbs will make you feel tired. I would also try put some fish and nuts in your diet. Natures energy.
I would also recommend a multi-vitamin, and maybe milk thistle to help clean out your system.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

The most classic medical correlation of fatigue after a meal is insulin resistance.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

I had the same issues, would feel tired after eating. To the point that I could barely keep my eyes opened.

Went the to the Dr. and after a few test was due to high blood sugar levels, basically borderline Type II diabetes. Scared the hell out of me so I dropped about 30lbs with diet and exercise. Now I'm watching my intake and feel 200% better.

go get checked out, that Type II is stealthy! Will sneak up on you real quick!
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

cut the milk and see what happens.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

I cut out bread for the last two days and have just been drinking water. Not run down at all these last two days. Cut back on the fruit after lunch and just stayed with veggies. Feeling good with more energy and I sleep better. I don't miss a thing now I'm on this diet cause I'm feeling 10 times better already. Driving the ole lady nuts due to me having to approve what she buys me to eat. Do any of you guys weigh your portions of food like chicken to get your calorie info? Still researching for the best way to tune the diet.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Legba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cut out bread for the last two days and have just been drinking water. Not run down at all these last two days. Cut back on the fruit after lunch and just stayed with veggies. Feeling good with more energy and I sleep better. I don't miss a thing now I'm on this diet cause I'm feeling 10 times better already. Driving the ole lady nuts due to me having to approve what she buys me to eat. Do any of you guys weigh your portions of food like chicken to get your calorie info? Still researching for the best way to tune the diet. </div></div>

As long as you keep eating the healthy foods, I wouldn't go crazy measuring stuff. A good rule of thumb is the meat should be the size of your palm. You should eat every couple of hours and not let yourself get hungry. You'll be surprised how easy it is to keep the weight off and feel great once you cut out the grains/bad carbs (Rice, bread, pasta, corn, etc).
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

I concur with the simple sugar theory. How about trying something like a whey protein shake with minimal carbs mixed with cold water and a tablespoon of all natural almond or peanut butter as your mid day meals.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

your problem must be gluten then. you still need carbs you just have to stay away from wheat products.

my wife can't handle gluten. did an allergy test at the chiropractor. bunch of stuff she was fine. soon as he put gluten on her tounge she was weak everywhere. Rather interesting to watch.
 
Re: Getting tired after eating

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Legba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cut out bread for the last two days and have just been drinking water. Not run down at all these last two days. Cut back on the fruit after lunch and just stayed with veggies. Feeling good with more energy and I sleep better. I don't miss a thing now I'm on this diet cause I'm feeling 10 times better already. Driving the ole lady nuts due to me having to approve what she buys me to eat. Do any of you guys weigh your portions of food like chicken to get your calorie info? Still researching for the best way to tune the diet. </div></div>

WHOA whoa. Don't cut out protein or the only thing you'll lose is muscle.

Have a read through this, I use the same diet plan to cut down to 8% body fat every cycle.

http://trooperbrian.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-cut-body-fat-proper-and-healthy.html