Food is supposed to fill us with energy, isn't it? But why is it that we so often experience an energy slump after breakfast or lunch? There are a number of factors that can affect our ability to digest and absorb nutrients from food and, as a result, how we feel after a meal. To summarize, it is very important what exactly, at what rate and under what conditions we eat.
Digestion under stress
Stress is of particular importance to digestive function. A state of stress is associated with high levels of adrenaline and can have a bad effect on the body's ability to produce stomach acid, which in turn can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or congestion after eating, as well as provoking irritable bowel syndrome.
Simply put, high levels of adrenaline make the body think you're getting ready to fight or defend yourself. As a result, the body diverts blood flow away from processes that are not vital in this situation, such as digestion, and directs all resources to escape the "danger.
Every minute, your body makes decisions about what fuel to use, and it can only choose glucose, fat, or a combination of the two. When you are stressed, on caffeine, in a constant hurry or doing intense cardio workouts, your body is dominated by the sympathetic nervous system and chooses the "fast" fuel, glucose. As a consequence, the body needs sugar all the time to replenish its stores.
Try controlling your breathing or practicing a short meditation. Start breathing deeply to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and set your body up for digestion, recovery, and rest. By increasing the length of your breaths and exhales, you are literally signaling to every cell in your body that you are safe (because you wouldn't breathe slowly if your life was in danger).
Fats and carbs.
An afternoon slump can also be caused by what you eat and drink. For example, what happens when you eat fast carbs (let's say white bread, French fries or white rice)? Your body immediately digests starches that are poor in fiber and fat, which immediately turn into sugar, and glucose rushes from the digestive system into the bloodstream. This stimulates the production of insulin, which gives your body the signal to store fat. You get "full" quickly, but just as quickly you start feeling hungry and low in energy again. When you eat foods that contain fiber, such as fresh vegetables, the coarse fiber helps slow the flow of glucose into the bloodstream. This promotes a more prolonged release of energy.
Fats from whole natural foods are essential for good health: they help regulate inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and are necessary for healthy skin, eyes, nails and hair. And it is also the consumption of the right fats that helps to burn fat! Healthy fats slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream, which helps keep you feeling full longer. Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut, vegetable oil, fatty fish, and organic meats help manage cravings. Include healthy fats in your diet: this will help you control your condition after a meal.
Another way to slow down the release of energy from food and prolong the feeling of fullness is to eat slowly.
Food Sensitivity
Postprandial fatigue can also be caused by "food sensitivity." It may be due to insufficient production of digestive enzymes, liver or gastric juice detoxification enzymes or to an immune response. If this is the case, you should consult your doctor.
Many people consume foods or drinks that are not right for them, and the body may signal this with unpleasant symptoms. This is why it is so important to listen to your body.
Gluten, dairy products, fructose, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners are the most common causes of food sensitivity. If your liver can't handle the stress of the foods you consume, you get intestinal problems, skin rashes, and constant fatigue.
To determine what exactly is causing these problems, there is a strict restrictive diet: you eliminate the listed foods from your diet for a few weeks, and then reintroduce them one at a time at four-day intervals. You will feel how your body responds to each of them. A restrictive diet is best established under the guidance of a professional nutritionist or doctor.
Our body has no voice, but it regularly gives us feedback, and an afternoon slump in energy should make you wonder if you're doing everything right.
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