Who does not know it, the leaden tiredness after eating? Not without reason, it is also called “food coma” or “midday fatigue” by the vernacular.
What is fatigue after eating?
After-meal fatigue is the term used to describe a leaden tiredness that comes over us after a rich meal, especially after a sumptuous lunch. Post-meal fatigue is the term used to describe a leaden tiredness that overtakes us after a rich meal, especially after a sumptuous lunch. Seemingly without explanation, a short time after the meal we feel listless, listless, unfocused and would prefer to take a nap. In most cases, this form of fatigue is harmless, it is a normal physical process related to the digestion of the meal and regulates itself again. Other forms of fatigue after meals can be food intolerance or allergy, in which fatigue always appears after foods that are not tolerated. In addition, it may be an expression of a general weakness of the digestive system or a metabolic disorder.
Causes
In most cases of fatigue after eating, it is a harmless and quite normal side effect of the natural digestive process. The body needs energy for digestion during the time after a meal and throttles it down in other areas of the body. As a result, these do not receive as much oxygen and this makes us tired. If you have food intolerances or allergies, the cause of fatigue after a meal may also be the food itself. If fatigue occurs predominantly after lunch, it may be an expression of the general lunchtime performance slump that coincides with lunch. High-carbohydrate meals can cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly and drop just as quickly. This can make you tired. General digestive weakness, a slow metabolism or metabolic disease can also promote fatigue after eating.
Diseases with this symptom
- Food intolerance
- Celiac disease
- Lactose intolerance
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Midday fatigue or jokingly called “food coma” is normal and disappears on its own after a while. If there is a suspicion that a food intolerance or allergy is behind this fatigue, it is important to find out the food or foods in question that trigger it so that it can be avoided in the future. Food intolerances and allergies are not easy to diagnose, however, because on the one hand the boundaries between allergy and intolerance can be blurred and on the other hand the amount consumed also plays a role. A food diary can provide initial clues about possible triggers. The validity of allergy tests and complex blood tests is controversial, which is why they are only partially covered by health insurance. To date, the most reliable and informative diagnostic method for food intolerances is an elimination diet, usually as part of a nutritional consultation. If an organic disease is suspected, a further physical examination is performed to find the cause.
When should you see a doctor?
Fatigue after eating is normal. It is usually due to digestive leukocytosis. It is not necessary to see a doctor. Many people experience an energetic low after lunch – especially after eating hard-to-digest foods or meat. The body needs energy for digestion. However, the energetic low should be overcome by a glass of cola or a cup of coffee. The situation may be different if fatigue lasts for an unusually long time after eating. The affected person should go to the doctor if he feels unusually long without energy after each meal. It is possible that there is no simple digestive leukocytosis, but rather a disease or malfunction. This may be due to hypothyroidism or intestinal problems, for example. If tiredness after eating persists despite a change in diet, a visit to the doctor is also advisable. If you eat a lot of freshly prepared vegetables, salads and fruit and pay attention to easily digestible dishes, you should not be overtired after meals.If the tiredness after eating spreads to other times of the day, an exhaustion syndrome may be behind the feeling of increasing exhaustion. This could be triggered by sleep apnea or sleep disorders. In the sleep laboratory, the physician consulted can clarify what the causes of the leaden fatigue are.
Treatment and therapy
Normal midday fatigue or fatigue after a sumptuous meal does not need to be treated. A good option is an afternoon nap, if it can be arranged with the daily routine. However, this is usually not possible at work. There, a walk in the fresh air can help to fill up on oxygen, or just rest a little and take a break. If fatigue occurs after high-carbohydrate meals, a more balanced diet that keeps blood sugar levels constant over a longer period of time can help. Diabetics should always have a snack with them to avoid hypoglycemia, which is dangerous for them. In the case of food allergies, an elimination diet as part of nutritional counseling is the best way to track down the triggers for fatigue. However, it requires a lot of cooperation and discipline from the patient. This diet takes place in several stages. In the first phase, the exclusion phase, only foods that have always been well tolerated may be eaten. All foods that are controversial must be omitted. In the second phase, the withdrawal phase, the body may react with withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, muscle pain and weight loss, a first indication of actual intolerances. The withdrawal phase is followed by the testing phase, in which new foods are gradually tested for tolerance. However, the ingredients should be tested individually, not in a combination. Therefore, ready-made products are taboo. Testing should always be done in the morning because it is more informative. When testing, it must be taken into account that reactions do not always occur immediately, but sometimes only after a few days. If a metabolic disease is present, the corresponding disease must be treated.
Prevention
It is difficult to prevent a midday slump. We are programmed by the daily routine in such a way that performance drops off at midday after a high in the morning, rises again in the afternoon and drops off again in the evening. Since particularly sumptuous meals increase fatigue after eating, it can help to eat meals that are not so sumptuous. Many working people therefore eat lighter snacks at lunchtime and have a hot meal after work. Those who eat in the canteen or do not want to do without a hot midday meal can make sure that the meal is well-balanced. Canteens often offer several options. In addition, some exercise in the fresh air helps. In the case of food intolerances, it helps to take body reactions seriously and to leave out foods that have not been tolerated several times.
This is what you can do yourself
Fatigue after eating is a common symptom and usually does not need to be treated. It does not lead to further complications, but it can have a negative effect on the rest of the day, as the body lacks strength for certain activities. As a rule, fatigue after eating arises mainly from fatty and sweet foods. The stomach has to expend a relatively large amount of energy to digest these foods. Therefore, the patient often feels tired and exhausted after eating. In most cases, the only thing that helps here is a change in diet. Fatty foods should be avoided. Fruits and vegetables and foods rich in fiber are optimal. For snacks in between meals, nuts and legumes are ideal, as they do not cause fatigue after eating. Coffee also helps against tiredness after a meal. This mainly stimulates digestion and blocks the nerve cells, which is responsible for fatigue. Exercise and fresh air stimulate blood circulation and can also reduce tiredness after eating. In most cases, fatigue after eating disappears within about an hour. It is more prevalent in children, so children often need a nap after eating.
