Anyone who has fallen asleep in front of the TV watching college football on Thanksgiving night would be right to think that something they just ate worked like a sleeping potion. (Hint: It’s not what you think!)
The truth is that some common foods you eat (or drink) can send you straight into a “food coma.” There are even some popular pick-me-ups that can leave you feeling sleepy and sluggish once their initial burst of energy wears off.
So what are the foods that make you tired? Since fatigue can be a weight loss plan killer—not to mention an obstacle to getting out to exercise—be aware of these energy vampires lurking in your kitchen and pantry:
1. White Bread
That’s the stand-in for refined carbohydrate foods. You probably blame your Thanksgiving lethargy on the turkey you ate because of its tryptophan, an essential amino acid that can help make you sleepy. The turkey is pleading not guilty. The real culprit is all those side dishes.
A meal that’s high in starchy/sugary carbohydrates has been shown in studies to induce fatigue within 30 minutes after you consume it! Processed carbs such as white bread, rice, crackers and sugary products (like breakfast cereal, pastries, cookies, cake and pie), may give you a quick burst of energy. However, research shows that your alertness starts to fade within an hour. If you’ve ever experienced a sugar high, you know it’s usually followed by a sugar crash. Whenever possible, try subbing out your refined carbohydrates with some SmartCarbs to avoid that post-meal tired feeling.
2. Coffee
What? Your favorite eye-opener? Don’t worry. It’s fine to turn to coffee—or another caffeinated drink—to keep your eyelids from drooping during the day. But only in moderation. Coffee and caffeine-containing foods and drinks can give you a burst of energy and alertness when you need it, but they can actually make you feel more tired after the effects wear off.
For one thing, caffeine can keep you from sleeping at night when you really need the Zzs. Then, there are the chemical effects on your body (yes, caffeine is a chemical and only one of many in coffee). According to Sleep Foundation, coffee helps you stay awake in part by blocking your body’s receptors for adenosine, a chemical that triggers sleepiness. The problem is that your body tries to compensate by making you more sensitive to adenosine, so instead of feeling alert after a cup of coffee, you feel fatigued.
Coffee can also make you slightly dehydrated, which also causes fatigue. And drinks like coffee can be a hidden source of added sugar if you take your cup of joe sweet. That means you can have both a sugar and caffeine crash at the same time.
3. Alcohol
No surprise here: Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, acting just like a sedative. It’s tempting to have a drink before bedtime to help you sleep. But like caffeine, alcohol has an “evil” side.
While it may help you slip into a peaceful slumber, a few hours after you drink, the alcohol raises levels of a hormone called epinephrine. You may know it by its other name: adrenalin, frequently known for its “rush.” This stress hormone can increase your heart rate and stimulate your body to wake up. The additional liquids may also make you need to get up to use the bathroom after having an alcoholic drink at night. Those night-time wakeups may make you feel sleepy the next day.
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4. Cheeseburger and Fries
Not to single out this iconic American meal, but its high fat content (over 60 grams of fat in one well-known eat-in restaurant) makes it a real energy killer. According to research, published in the journal Nutrients, diets high in fat like this meal were linked to increased daytime sleepiness and problems sleeping at night in a study of 1,800 Australian men. All it took to promote fatigue was eating 138 grams of fat per day (note that this one popular burger meal is about halfway there).
There may be many reasons for this result. One: A high-fat diet is associated with runaway inflammation in the body which itself can cause fatigue. Studies have also linked eating a high-glycemic index diet (think carbs and sugar) to inflammation.
5. Fried Fast Food
Though trans fat (hydrogenated oil) has been removed from most food products because of its link to inflammation and cardiovascular disease, there’s still a little bit in some foods, particularly restaurant fried foods and sweets such as donuts. That’s because high cooking temperatures and oil that’s reheated for cooking (think restaurant and bakery fryers) both produce more trans fats. More trans fats equals more inflammation, which equals fatigue, just one of the byproducts of this unhealthy fat.
Now that you know the specific foods that make you tired, click here to find out which foods boost energy! >
The post 5 Foods That Could be Zapping Your Energy appeared first on The Leaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Take African Mango Extract
Mango extract is simple to make. Just cut open a fresh ripe mango and scoop out the flesh into a blender bottle. Blend until smooth.
You may also strain the pulp if you want a finer consistency. Store in a cool dark place.
For future use, the pulp can be frozen. So you won’t have to buy another batch of mango pulp when the season starts again.
Does African Mango Extract Have Caffeine?
A study was performed to find out how much caffeine an average person takes in daily. Surprising results resulted.
A cup o coffee has about 100mg of caffeine. A small glass with cola contains around 40mg. What if caffeine could be obtained without consuming any calories?
Here’s African mango extract! It gives you the same energy boost that caffeine, but without adding sugar or calories.
African mango extract aids in concentration and focus as well as improving brain function.
How can I lose weight naturally?
You should try to eat healthy foods as often as possible. Healthy snacks should be low-calorie. Avoid eating too many processed foods. Instead, choose whole grains for breakfast such as oatmeal, barley, brown rice, etc. Sugary drinks are high calories and high sugar. Watch what you are drinking if you want to lose weight. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day.
Another tip? Get up early. Research has shown that people who rise earlier in the morning tend to consume less calories throughout the day. This can be achieved by setting an alarm to make sure you don’t sleep in the mornings.
Finally, exercise is also very important. Aerobic activities such as running, walking, biking and swimming are all good options. You can burn fat quicker than strength training. You should incorporate aerobic activity into your daily routine.
What is an African mango?
The fruit was first discovered by British explorers on an expedition to Africa. It’s been grown for centuries in South America, but due to climate change and deforestation, its production is now declining.
The African Mango Project will reverse this decline by promoting sustainable ways to grow fruit in East Africa.
They are also working towards creating local jobs and improving communities’ livelihoods near plantations.
Their goal is for the first commercial crop to be ready for harvest in 5 years.
How can I stop my appetite?
You can stop eating when hungry by eating small, frequent meals throughout the day and not just three big meals at mealtimes. This will keep your blood sugar levels constant and reduce hunger pangs.
Drinking plenty of water and taking herbal supplements, such as bittermelon or Ginseng, may work better than eating purely food.
Also, avoid foods high in carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes because they give you a quick boost followed by a big crash.
You should instead choose protein-rich foods, such as lean meats (fish, eggs), nuts and legumes. These will provide energy for a long time and help to maintain your blood sugar levels.
Finally, avoid sugary snacks and drinks such as chocolate bars, doughnuts, cakes, candies, soft drinks, and juice. These can make you feel hungry and bloated.
Instead, opt for healthier options like fresh fruits, veggies, salads and whole-grain cereals.
You shouldn’t be relying on miracle products or fad diets to lose weight.
Statistics
- A 2003 meta-analysis of studies found that people taking orlistat for 12 months in combination with lifestyle changes saw a 2.9% greater weight reduction than the placebo group (26Trusted Source (healthline.com)
- According to a 2014 review, even prescription weight loss pills don’t work as well as you might assume. (healthline.com)
- A 2008 survey noted that 33.9% of American adults trying to lose weight took dietary supplements (1Trusted (healthline.com)
- After 10 weeks, the CQ-only group experienced an 8.8% decrease in body weight, and the CQ and AME group an 11.8% decrease, on average. (healthline.com)
- In a total of 54 randomized controlled trials in healthy adults with overweight or obesity, the authors found no difference in weight or body fat percentage between the Garcinia Cambogia group and the placebo group (3Trusted Source (healthline.com)
External Links
healthline.com
ods.od.nih.gov
- Ephedra Office of Dietary Supplments – Ephedra
- Health Professional Fact Sheet: Dietary supplement for weight loss
fda.gov
webmd.com
- African Mango: What you need to know about Irvingia Gabonesis
- Goji Berries: Health Benefits & Side Effects
How To
African Mango: The Nutrients, Benefits and Downsides
Mangoes are an exotic fruit that was grown in tropical climates. They are now grown worldwide. Mangoes are nutritious fruits rich in vitamin C, potassium, fiber, calcium, and iron. Mangoes also contain antioxidants such as beta-carotene and lutein.
The mango tree is most productive between 15degC, (59degF), and 30degC, (86degF). The mangoes become yellowish-green when fully ripe. The mango’s flesh is firm and juicy at first, but becomes more firm and dry after ripening.
Mangoes are used in jams, pickles (ice cream), chutneys and pickles. In India, mango pulp is added to curries and rice dishes; in Thailand, it is added to stir-fried vegetables. Mangoes come in many forms: fresh, dried, canned, frozen, canned, candied, frozen and canned.
Healthy Vegetables & Fruits
Since ancient times, mangoes have been used to treat diabetes. Mangoes are now grown throughout the globe. Mango trees come in many varieties, including Alphonso and Beni Suef, Bombay and Chaunsa.
Mangoes are high in water and low in calories, which can help you lose weight. A medium-sized mango has approximately 100 calories and 3 grams of fat. This makes them among the healthiest fruits.
Mangoes also contain vitamins B1, B2, and B3, as well as vitamin K, magnesium, folate, potassium, manganese (folate), pantothenic acid. They also have thiamine, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine.
Mangoes are also loaded with phytochemicals, plant compounds that protect cells from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell damage. Mangoes are especially good at protecting your heart, brain, and eyes.
Mangoes may be helpful for people who want to lose weight because they are high in water content. Water helps keep your body hydrated and keeps you feeling full longer.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://slimbody.pw/ep185-how-to-lose-belly-fat-in-perimenopause/