What Are the Foods That Can Cause You to Be Lethargic?
When you wake up in the morning, you’re probably oozing with energy. You eat your breakfast, take care of yourself, and then go to the office or school and you vow to be productive that day.
It usually happens during the afternoon where you feel that your energy levels start to dwindle. You might be asking tons of questions why this is happening and you’re trying to review what you’ve done so far that may have contributed to this.
Well, although foods can generally provide us with energy, not all are the same in that aspect. There are some that provide you with long lasting energy and there are some that will just provide you with a boost followed by a crash shortly after. People who also do not take the right supplements are doomed to feel lethargic in the afternoon as well.
So, what are the foods that may cause you to become lethargic?
White Bread
We all love bread but sadly, we opt for the bad kind. Refined carbs like muffins, pancakes, white bread, and pasta are all delicious which is the reason why people opt for them than any other carb sources.
Unfortunately, they are bad carbs for energy simply because they are full of sugar and salt and may help influence insulin production which may lead to a sugar crash or drowsiness.
If you want to know the best carb sources out there, I highly recommend that you consume whole grains. Think about oatmeal and whole-wheat bread, among many others.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, or any other food or drink that contains caffeine may be detrimental to your midday energy levels. Caffeine is a stimulant which means that it can help improve your alertness and focus, but only for a limited period of time.
That is why when people start to feel that the effects of caffeine start to dwindle, they increase their intake of coffee or any other caffeinated beverage.
Coffee and tea provide you with health benefits but people should not consume more than 2 servings per day. Plus, coffee is a diuretic which is an agent that can dehydrate you quicker than other drinks.
Bananas
You might have been told that if you are feeling drowsy in the afternoon that you should be eating one or two pieces of banana to give you energy. Although it is true that bananas can provide you with energy, it can also lead to drowsiness as well.
That is due to its high magnesium content. This mineral is responsible for helping us get some rest. Sure, you may find that it helps you to sleep at night, but it is actually not the best when you are trying to energize yourself.
Sweets
I would say right off the bat that you should not consume sweets ever. They provide you with an instant energy boost but that boost is fleeting and doesn’t last too long. Plus, because it is filled with sugar, it can promote the release of insulin which can lead to drowsiness quicker than a sleeping aid.
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