Your food choices have a significant impact on how your body feels throughout the day — as such, paying attention to what you eat and nourishing yourself with the right meal is essential.

As much as it is important to pick the right foods to keep you going through your day, avoiding those that can deplete your energy reserves is also paramount to the process. Several foods can leave you feeling sluggish and drained, and they are typically accessible and common in your diet.

Below is a list of food items likely to make you tired shortly after consuming them.

 

1. Baked goods

 

Cakes, muffins, doughnuts, cookies, and other baked products are high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which can cause a sugar high and subsequent crash an hour or so later.

These processed foods also contain refined carbs, which don’t have the same filling qualities or nutritional benefits as carbohydrates. Eat complex carbohydrates instead, such as those found in fruit and whole-wheat bread, and avoid artificial sweeteners.

 

2. Pumpkin seeds

 

Pumpkin seeds are notably abundant in magnesium, which studies claim can enhance sleep and relaxation. They also contain tryptophan, a type of amino acid that promotes sleep.

Instead of having pumpkin seeds during midday, consider snacking on them before bedtime for a restful sleep.

 

3. Condiments

 

Condiments may contain surprising amounts of sugar and other additives. High sugar intake can inhibit the production of a substance called Orexin, which promotes the sensation of being awake. Thus, the more sugar you consume, the sleepier you will feel.

They may also include high levels of sodium, which can cause you to feel bloated, tired and dehydrated — all good ingredients for daytime sleep.

 

4. Bananas

 

Bananas are quite nutrient-dense. They do not only contain tryptophan, but they are also high in potassium and magnesium. These three all work together to relax your muscles and induce sleep. To counter this effect, eat bananas with foods high in protein and energy-boosting B vitamins.

 

5. Pasta

 

Eating foods packed with simple carbohydrates such as pasta and white bread can cause a blood sugar surge. As you may have guessed, what goes up must come down, usually in a terrible crash.

Choose foods high in protein and healthy fats instead to maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.

 

6. Potato chips

 

This may not come as a surprise to you. The unhealthy saturated and trans fats in most potato chips make you feel sluggish because they take longer to digest. They also include a high amount of salt, which can leave you feeling lethargic as it stimulates water retention in the body.

 

7. Hamburgers

 

Yes, your love for fatty and greasy foods can actually cause your eyelids to get droopy during daytime. High fat content in hamburgers can make you feel weary as it takes a lot of energy to break these down, making your digestive system work harder than usual. Those white buns can also contribute to diabetes, obesity and heart diseases — health conditions that may cause fatigue.

 

8. Cherries

 

Cherries are undeniably healthy, but they are better eaten in the evening. Cherries are abundant in melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. In fact, one study reveals tart cherry juice blend can be beneficial for adults with insomnia.

 

 

If you are still wondering why meals or snacks are often followed by a strong urge to nap, consider checking your diet for any food from this list. While they’re not necessarily unhealthy, they may make your body tired, sleepy and lazy. The effect may vary for everyone, so it’s always wise to determine how your body responds to each from the list.

Ultimately, knowing when to eat them during the day can also help you manage that strong siesta need.

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