Meals Make Me Sleepy

by Lisa P | More from this Blogger

28 May 2008 03:57 AM

"Why do I feel so tired after a meal?"

You know, I used to ask my doctor the same question.

She told me there was no reason I should be tired after a meal unless I was either overeating or just not getting enough sleep at night. I remember exactly how I felt about her after she so easily dismissed me and I guarantee that I won't do that to you!

You may be overeating, but if you're trying to lose weight that scenario is doubtful. (Personally, I can't imagine why anyone would read my blogs if they weren't trying to lose weight. Goodness knows I'm not that funny.)

You may not be getting enough sleep, but if you've read any of my blogs about the need for sleep when trying to lose weight, chances are you're working on that.

While the above two options are possibilities, my guess is that you are insulin resistant and that isn't something your doctor will bother to talk to you about. You see, that would involve taking the time to explain the condition and since there is no prescription to control insulin resistance, most doctors don't see the need to waste their time.

Insulin resistance is a pre-diabetic condition. (Doctors and pharmaceutical companies would all prefer that we just skip on through the pre-diabetic phase and get to full blown diabetes because that's where they really make their money!)

Let's keep this simple and start at the beginning -

When a starchy carbohydrate hits your mouth, the saliva there begins the process of converting it to sugar (blood sugar).

This sugar is picked up by a naturally produced chemical (insulin) for transportation to the muscles where it will be used as fuel on a cellular level or stored as fat for use as fuel later.

Generally speaking, some blood sugar is left in the bloodstream to provide the energy necessary to remain conscious and do whatever you need to do after your meal.

If you take in more of this fuel than you need on a regular basis, your body will create more insulin to handle the load (so as to regulate your blood sugar).

Now pay attention because this is where you fall asleep.

Insulin is a go-getter. Every molecule of insulin wants to get some sugar and sock it away. If you're producing too much insulin, it'll take every bit of blood sugar you have and sock it away. Even if it means dropping your blood sugar to the point where you have no energy at all. This is probably why you get really tired after a meal.

My recommendation: Lay off the starchy carbohydrates and exercise more.

Carbohydrates lower on the glycemic index will help you to stabilize your blood sugar during and after a meal.

Exercising will help your body burn off all that fuel that it has been storing.

Learn more about Lisa P

Lisa used to be a freelance writer and Community Manager for Families.com, but she has finally made the jump to novelist.

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