If you have never experienced this, it is nothing like the "sleepy after a big meal" or "sleepy after a bowl of cereal" feeling. In my case, I can eat a banana and a piece of cheese for breakfast and am slumping over at my desk an hour later. It doesn't matter what I eat, and it's not a yawning, oh I'm sleepy kind of feeling. It's a "who drugged me?" feeling. Coffee makes no difference. As someone else stated about it happening when you're driving and it scares you so you get a rush of adrenaline - even the adrenaline doesn't stop it.
I just had a full blood work-up and everything, including glucose, was normal with the exception of mild anemia. I'm wondering if it's food allergy related, as I also have had gastro issues for the past couple of years. I intend to research gluten-free diet and start tomorrow to see if anything changes. I'm scared to drive right now til this stops.
P.S. I'm a size 6 female runner, so it has nothing to do with laziness or eating too much.
I just had a full blood work-up and everything, including glucose, was normal with the exception of mild anemia. I'm wondering if it's food allergy related, as I also have had gastro issues for the past couple of years. I intend to research gluten-free diet and start tomorrow to see if anything changes. I'm scared to drive right now til this stops.
P.S. I'm a size 6 female runner, so it has nothing to do with laziness or eating too much.
If you blood work is all normal, perhaps look into sleep issues (apnea, upper airway resistance, etc.).
In short, if it concerns you, speak to a doctor.
If there is an underlying health issue then get it checked out rather than accepting the wisdom of the crowd.
If there is an underlying health issue then get it checked out rather than accepting the wisdom of the crowd.
It has been some time since anyone has posted any info regarding this, but for those people that are saying it is normal, we who are suffering with this know that it is not. We remember that we ourselves did not use to experience this level of sleepiness nor do we see the people around us experience this level of sleepiness after eating. I am a 55 year old male and the problem keeps getting worse for me with age. I believe it is related to blood sugar despite the fact that blood sugar test have come out normal. I suspect that maybe the way the tests are administered are not appropriate. All the blood sugar testing that I have undergone are done in the morning when fasting, they gave me a sugary drink and then over a specified period of time continued to check my blood sugar levels. The problem is that I only have problems in the late afternoon of after an early dinner, so it is very time specific that this is happening, it doesn't happen when I eat breakfast or when I'm eating late. When I was in college I first experienced it and although I never got a medical diagnosis of hypoglycemia I started using a diet assuming that I was, the diet essentially called for more complex carbs in the diet and a bit more protein and avoiding all simple carbs, the diet worked fine then, and helps some now, but not to the same extent. I am in the same camp with some of those people who now can eat a very healthy light lunch and still get KO'ed by my sleepiness however it is less likely to happen than when eating a heave dish like lasagna for lunch; if I eat something like that I can almost guarantee it is going to knock me out. Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of sleep that you are actually getting, unfortunately I get a burst of energy in the evening so many times I am up late doing work, going to sleep after midnight yet waking up early, so maybe its just natures way of reclaiming the lost hours of sleep. The other thing that I'm looking into is as a 55 year old male my testosterone levels are dropping along with other hormonal changes, this too has been linked with overall decreased energy.
found your post while looking for same answers... just ate a plate of steamed green and yellow vegetables and feel spaced ,tingly and tired out.....aged 50, menopausal,very active bikerider etc but goodnight for now i gotta sleep this off!!...... i guess it's pretty normal
I know exactly what you are talking about and can totally empathize with you. What people don't seem to understand is that it is not just feeling "sleepy." It feels more like being drugged. When I eat, my head gets cloudy, my body feels like it can't hold itself up, and it is not an option to not go to sleep. I do not eat out anymore unless I have someone else drive me for fear of falling asleep at the wheel. Like you, I tend to just not eat if I have anything of importance to do. I don't over eat, I don't eat a lot of carbs, I exercise, etc. I do everything I am supposed to but still have this problem. Allergy tests, food elimination, several medical tests have not helped. If you find any answers, let us know. Good luck!
I've been working on the same problem.. Even though this is an old blog,, I'll add something. My doctor has suggested Sleep
Apnea as the problem..
Theory is you are not getting enough sleep overnight of the right kind and so are actually already tired (but don't know it) before you eat.. eat anything.. and down you go. The normal shutdown for a while to digest cycle takes you down to a have to have some shuteye level.
I was diagnosed with medium sleep apnea, waking 28 times an hour. I have been trying to get better results with CPAP machines to help me sleep better but have been having problems with this solution.. So at this stage I can't give a definitive.. 'yes this has helped ' answer.
I mention it here because no one else has.
Apnea as the problem..
Theory is you are not getting enough sleep overnight of the right kind and so are actually already tired (but don't know it) before you eat.. eat anything.. and down you go. The normal shutdown for a while to digest cycle takes you down to a have to have some shuteye level.
I was diagnosed with medium sleep apnea, waking 28 times an hour. I have been trying to get better results with CPAP machines to help me sleep better but have been having problems with this solution.. So at this stage I can't give a definitive.. 'yes this has helped ' answer.
I mention it here because no one else has.
I agree that this is NOT normal. Exactly the same thing is happening with me, therefore I looked this up and found this thread. I am afraid to drive after eating as well because of how tired I get. I started to look up if this is sone sort of diabetic symptom but can't find that it is. NO ONE on here is making any progress except corbetty alone who experiences this as well. I seriously think this excessive sleepiness cannot be normal so stop saying that it is. I think I bred to try going to a specialist instead of a regular doc.
The 3 Reasons You Get Tired After Eating Food!
#1 - Lack of Chewing: Your digestion in fact begins in the mouth not the stomach. Make sure you chew all your food until it turns into a paste like consistency to ensure that it digests as well as possible. 40 times is the suggested ideal amount.
#2 - Food Sensitivities: Many people have undiagnosed food sensitivities and allergies. You may be surprised to find most of the food in your diet is treated almost like a poison by your body and creates more problems than it's worth eating. The key is to get onto a restricted diet to determine which foods are in fact the problem foods. An elimination or candida diet is critical in achieving this.
#3 - Liver Congestion: If you have an improper bile production and/or secretion you will have tremendous digestive problems, especially when it comes to fats in the diet. To solve this problem you should be detoxifying not only your liver but another chronic health problem which is always tied into liver problems known as a candida overgrowth.
This yeast which lives inside all of us will in some people overgrow and cause many health problems, the most common of which are digestive problems and food sensitivities! If you find you're constantly fatigued after eating or find that you have other negative reactions from eating food then you need to seriously consider going onto a candida elimination program to improve your overall health and eliminate your fatigue for good!
#1 - Lack of Chewing: Your digestion in fact begins in the mouth not the stomach. Make sure you chew all your food until it turns into a paste like consistency to ensure that it digests as well as possible. 40 times is the suggested ideal amount.
#2 - Food Sensitivities: Many people have undiagnosed food sensitivities and allergies. You may be surprised to find most of the food in your diet is treated almost like a poison by your body and creates more problems than it's worth eating. The key is to get onto a restricted diet to determine which foods are in fact the problem foods. An elimination or candida diet is critical in achieving this.
#3 - Liver Congestion: If you have an improper bile production and/or secretion you will have tremendous digestive problems, especially when it comes to fats in the diet. To solve this problem you should be detoxifying not only your liver but another chronic health problem which is always tied into liver problems known as a candida overgrowth.
This yeast which lives inside all of us will in some people overgrow and cause many health problems, the most common of which are digestive problems and food sensitivities! If you find you're constantly fatigued after eating or find that you have other negative reactions from eating food then you need to seriously consider going onto a candida elimination program to improve your overall health and eliminate your fatigue for good!
the answer is serotonin deprivation in the brain.
Simply, the hormone serotonin is found mainly in the brain and the gut (stomach, intestines, etc.)...
Serotonin plays a role in the brain as a neurotransmitter (relays information from neuron to neuron) which regulates our constant waking state (static alpha waves).
When we eat, serotonin plays a role in digestive action - contraction of stomach muscles, secretion into blood from intestines; all of the digestive events that happen when we eat.
Therefore, serotonin levels in the gut are relatively low when we are not eating, and thus are in abundance within the brain (keeping us alert and awake)..
So when we are eating, serotonin rushes to the gut area to activate the digestive process, leaving a minimal-mediocre amount in the brain suddenly (lowering our wakefulness) and this gives us that fatigued and relaxed feeling where we feel lazy and sleepy.
:-)
Simply, the hormone serotonin is found mainly in the brain and the gut (stomach, intestines, etc.)...
Serotonin plays a role in the brain as a neurotransmitter (relays information from neuron to neuron) which regulates our constant waking state (static alpha waves).
When we eat, serotonin plays a role in digestive action - contraction of stomach muscles, secretion into blood from intestines; all of the digestive events that happen when we eat.
Therefore, serotonin levels in the gut are relatively low when we are not eating, and thus are in abundance within the brain (keeping us alert and awake)..
So when we are eating, serotonin rushes to the gut area to activate the digestive process, leaving a minimal-mediocre amount in the brain suddenly (lowering our wakefulness) and this gives us that fatigued and relaxed feeling where we feel lazy and sleepy.
:-)
I have had this extreme tiredness after meals for many years. At first it was every once in awhile and only after lunch. However, now it is everyday and at every meal. I cannot stay awake when this happens and have even dozed off standing upright. This never used to happen to me until a few years ago and now it seems to be getting worse.
Years ago, one doctor did suggest a blood sugar spike after meals, but my fasting diabetes test came back fine. The most recent one also was normal. I have never been told my actual numbers. However, I read online that a person can be insulin resistant and still have normal fasting levels. I read that a tolerance test needs to be administered with the fasting test. I have reason to believe I am insulin resistant and am wondering for those that were diagnosed insulin resistant (if they happen to still read this thread) what type of tests did your doctor administer?
Years ago, one doctor did suggest a blood sugar spike after meals, but my fasting diabetes test came back fine. The most recent one also was normal. I have never been told my actual numbers. However, I read online that a person can be insulin resistant and still have normal fasting levels. I read that a tolerance test needs to be administered with the fasting test. I have reason to believe I am insulin resistant and am wondering for those that were diagnosed insulin resistant (if they happen to still read this thread) what type of tests did your doctor administer?
Its My problem too...6 months ago I become Gluten Free then I felt better...
recently I feel the same...after each meal...I have to go and sleep....
like after drinking a cup of milk or a cup of tea in the morning, I feel sleepy... its the same for lunch too.... Im suffering from this problem...
I know something is wrong with me :-( ... but I dont know that... still searching...
recently I feel the same...after each meal...I have to go and sleep....
like after drinking a cup of milk or a cup of tea in the morning, I feel sleepy... its the same for lunch too.... Im suffering from this problem...
I know something is wrong with me :-( ... but I dont know that... still searching...
For whatever reason, I've experienced this as well. What helped was drinking a healthy energy drink during my meal.
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
It is so comforting to see other people with this problem!
I started noticing this in myself around 2001. I was checked for sleep apnea and began using a CPAP. It helped a lot, but I still got very sleepy at times during the day. Then I noticed that it happened after I ate. Any time of day, within 30 minutes of eating I'd be extremely sluggish and feeling drugged. I experimented and figured out that it was sugar and starches that were the worse. But even eating just meats and veggies would affect me to some extent. But anything with sugar or simple carbs and I'd be out.
When it's at its worse it's like this: I'll feel it kick in within 20 minutes, a spot in my head starts to tighten and my vision goes a little blurry. My lips and cheeks tingle and I'll have a hard time keeping focus. My speech slurs, my muscles go sluggish, and I can't keep track of what is going on around me very well. My wife used to keep a book of things I'd say, nonsensical weird things. Most of the time I'll be asleep for a few minutes, or struggling to stay awake. After 10-15 minutes of this it will suddenly pass. I will feel the fog lift, my vision clear, and everything would be normal.
This happens every time I eat carbs, and varies in intensity depending on what I eat. The only thing that helps me is to stay on what is pretty much the Atkins diet. When I eat mostly meat, with limited carbs in the way of veggies (and only the low carb veggies) then I pretty much stay away from the reaction. It's weird what does it, too much celery will put me to sleep for example.
I had the glucose test, it showed a spike in blood sugar followed by a huge drop. The doctor called it "reactive hypoglycemia". He said that the blood sugar rise was like a huge sugar rush to me, giving me lots of energy right after eating. But then the blood sugar drops immediately. It is the difference between the spike and the valley that causes the reaction. For example, I go from 300 to 90 in a matter of 2 minutes. 90 isn't really low, I don't think, but when you were just at 300 then that's a huge crash. His only recommendation was to avoid the foods that cause the most problems.
So, that's what I try to do. I wish I had a better answer, and I wish someone else could tell me more. But just totally avoiding bread, fruits, sugar, starches, and limiting myself to meat and a handful of veggies is what keeps the monsters away. It's not easy to do, and when I slip and eat a sandwich I at least know what's coming.
I started noticing this in myself around 2001. I was checked for sleep apnea and began using a CPAP. It helped a lot, but I still got very sleepy at times during the day. Then I noticed that it happened after I ate. Any time of day, within 30 minutes of eating I'd be extremely sluggish and feeling drugged. I experimented and figured out that it was sugar and starches that were the worse. But even eating just meats and veggies would affect me to some extent. But anything with sugar or simple carbs and I'd be out.
When it's at its worse it's like this: I'll feel it kick in within 20 minutes, a spot in my head starts to tighten and my vision goes a little blurry. My lips and cheeks tingle and I'll have a hard time keeping focus. My speech slurs, my muscles go sluggish, and I can't keep track of what is going on around me very well. My wife used to keep a book of things I'd say, nonsensical weird things. Most of the time I'll be asleep for a few minutes, or struggling to stay awake. After 10-15 minutes of this it will suddenly pass. I will feel the fog lift, my vision clear, and everything would be normal.
This happens every time I eat carbs, and varies in intensity depending on what I eat. The only thing that helps me is to stay on what is pretty much the Atkins diet. When I eat mostly meat, with limited carbs in the way of veggies (and only the low carb veggies) then I pretty much stay away from the reaction. It's weird what does it, too much celery will put me to sleep for example.
I had the glucose test, it showed a spike in blood sugar followed by a huge drop. The doctor called it "reactive hypoglycemia". He said that the blood sugar rise was like a huge sugar rush to me, giving me lots of energy right after eating. But then the blood sugar drops immediately. It is the difference between the spike and the valley that causes the reaction. For example, I go from 300 to 90 in a matter of 2 minutes. 90 isn't really low, I don't think, but when you were just at 300 then that's a huge crash. His only recommendation was to avoid the foods that cause the most problems.
So, that's what I try to do. I wish I had a better answer, and I wish someone else could tell me more. But just totally avoiding bread, fruits, sugar, starches, and limiting myself to meat and a handful of veggies is what keeps the monsters away. It's not easy to do, and when I slip and eat a sandwich I at least know what's coming.
Just some ideas to think about.
Are you drinking plenty of water. 64 oz plus 8 oz more for every 25 lb overweight. Coffee will make you sleepy if your not drinking enough water.
You could have a sleeping disorder that stops you from getting good sleep at night. Your body might be looking to catch up.
Are you drinking plenty of water. 64 oz plus 8 oz more for every 25 lb overweight. Coffee will make you sleepy if your not drinking enough water.
You could have a sleeping disorder that stops you from getting good sleep at night. Your body might be looking to catch up.