Here’s Why You Get Sleepy After Eating

Most people have felt their eyelids get heavy shortly after a large meal. Whether it be a holiday feast or a weekend brunch, you may wonder what exactly causes sleepiness after eating. Fortunately, post-meal tiredness, also called postprandial somnolence, may not be a cause for concern if it does not interfere with a person’s work, school, or social life.

However, in some cases, a post-lunch dip in energy can have consequences for workplace productivity and raise the risk of accidents Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , including car crashes. In addition, excessive sleepiness is sometimes caused by an underlying health problem or sleep disorder. Whether drowsiness sets in after a meal can depend on multiple factors including when, how much, and what a person eats Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Learning more about postprandial sleepiness can make it easier to understand why people get tired after a meal, foods that may cause drowsiness, and ways to reduce sleepiness after eating.

What Is Postprandial Somnolence?

Postprandial somnolence refers to a feeling of sleepiness after consuming food Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . It is sometimes known as the post-lunch dip or referred to more informally as a “food coma.”

Researchers are not exactly sure why it is common for people to get sleepy after eating. Studies suggest that multiple factors Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source may influence energy levels after a meal, including fluctuations in certain cellular proteins Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , hormones, blood flow, brain chemicals, inflammation, and the body’s internal clock.

A larger meal may be more likely to cause sleepiness, and the composition of a meal can have an impact as well. Research has found that meals that are high in fat, carbohydrates, or calories may increase sleepiness.

It can be challenging to identify any single cause of postprandial sleepiness. Instead, there are many potential reasons why drowsiness sets in after eating, and those reasons can change based on the person and their meal.

Which Foods Can Make You Sleepy?

More research is necessary to understand how different nutrients and foods affect instances of daytime sleepiness. Additionally, many studies about diet and sleep focus on nighttime sleep, which is distinct from a daytime energy dip. Nevertheless, some types of foods may be more likely to trigger sleepiness.

• High-fat foods may be rich and heavy: Fat-laden foods can be difficult to digest, leading to increased likelihood of post-meal tiredness.  
• High-carbohydrate meals can increase drowsiness: In addition to fat, some research has found that meals with large amounts of carbohydrates increase the perceived amount of postprandial fatigue.
• Tryptophan triggers the brain’s sleep process: Tryptophan is an amino acid known to promote sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source within the brain. Turkey contains high levels of tryptophan, so it is famously blamed for sleepiness after Thanksgiving dinner. Other foods with tryptophan include milk, bananas, oats, and chocolate. While tryptophan alone may not always cause sleepiness, its effects are enhanced when eaten with carbohydrates.
• Tart cherries promote sleep: Small studies have found tart cherries Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source to be associated with improved nighttime sleep. Certain kinds of sour cherries contain tryptophan and melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep, as well as other active ingredients that may promote sleep.
• Nuts are rich in melatonin: Walnuts, pistachios, and other nuts have some of the highest melatonin levels Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source of plant foods. Given the effects of melatonin on sleep, eating a significant amount of nuts may induce a feeling of drowsiness.

While these foods may promote postprandial sleepiness, not everyone will experience fatigue after eating them since various factors influence how the body reacts to a meal.

What Else Causes Sleepiness?

Aside from the nutritional makeup of meals, other factors that may play a role in feeling sleepy after eating include a person’s meal timing, work schedule, overall health, exposure to daylight, and body composition. Post-meal drowsiness may also be a symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness, which can occur as a result of poor sleep at night from insomnia or another sleep issue.

Circadian Rhythm

Many aspects of sleep and wakefulness are regulated by circadian rhythms, internal processes dictated by the body’s internal clock. One of the body’s circadian rhythms, known as the sleep-wake cycle, can affect energy levels over the course of the day, which often involves a post-lunch dip that can cause sleepiness.

In addition, the propensity to fall asleep changes throughout the day. Most people experience the greatest sleepiness before bed but also have an increased desire to sleep near midday. This often occurs in the early afternoon, which is after many people eat lunch. Several factors can influence when and how much this dip in energy occurs, including whether someone tends to be a morning or evening person.

Disrupted Sleep at Night

Drowsiness after lunch may be exacerbated by generalized instances of excessive sleepiness throughout the day. This tendency to feel extremely tired or doze off at inappropriate times can have many causes, including a failure to get enough quality sleep at night.

Excessive daytime sleepiness can also be caused by sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea as well as medical conditions that interfere with nightly sleep.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol has a sleep-inducing effect Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . As a result, consuming alcohol with a meal may make post-meal sluggishness more likely. Some research suggests that people who do not get enough sleep at night are more susceptible to drowsiness if they drink alcohol during the day.

Even though alcohol can make it easier to fall asleep, it worsens sleep quality and can make it less likely for sleep to be restorative.

Underlying Health Conditions

Feeling sleepy after a meal can be linked to certain health conditions that may cause fatigue after eating or throughout the day.

• Unbalanced blood sugar levels can cause sleepiness: Diabetes is a condition marked by elevated blood sugar, referred to as hyperglycemia. Blood sugar rises after a meal, triggering hyperglycemia and fatigue. Postprandial hypoglycemia Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source , which is caused by low blood sugar levels, can trigger a range of symptoms, including weakness and drowsiness Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .
• Anemia exacerbates fatigue: Anemia is a condition where red blood cells fail to carry the necessary amount of oxygen through the body. Individuals with anemia frequently experience tiredness which may occur at various times, including after a meal.
• Tiredness is a symptom of hypothyroidism: People with an underactive thyroid gland Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source are prone to have fatigue that can affect them at various points during the day.
• Low blood pressure decreases energy levels: Postprandial hypotension Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source , or low blood pressure after a meal, affects people with certain health conditions and is more common in older adults. Fatigue is one potential symptom of this drop in blood pressure.
• Certain medications can make you tired: Drowsiness is a side effect of some medications. Depending on when a person takes their medications, they may experience sleepiness after a meal.

Is It Normal To Be Sleepy After Eating?

Post-meal drowsiness is common and may be influenced by a person’s internal clock and physiological response to food. Extreme sleepiness that occurs several times a day or interferes with daily life could be an indication of sleep problems or another health condition. Anyone concerned about their post-meal sleepiness or general daytime alertness should speak with a medical professional for individualized guidance.

What Are Ways To Prevent Sleepiness After Eating?

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent postprandial sleepiness, there are some practical steps that may help people stay awake and alert after meals.

Eat Mindfully

Being aware of both the quantity and nutritional composition of a meal may help avoid postprandial sleepiness. While dietary needs and responses to food can vary from person to person, it may help to avoid large and heavy meals that can increase the urge to doze off after eating.

Individuals can take note of any foods or types of meals, such as high-fat or high-carb meals, that seem to have the biggest effect on their postprandial sleepiness. Identifying these patterns and choosing foods accordingly can be effective in preventing postprandial somnolence. Being mindful about alcohol consumption may also help prevent dips in alertness after meals.

Take a Quick Nap

Another strategy for managing the post-lunch dip is to take a quick nap. Several studies have found that people who take naps of 15 to 45 minutes shortly after a meal feel less sleepy and more alert after waking. However, it is important not to nap for too long because longer naps are linked to greater sleepiness.

Seek Out Bright Light

Taking a nap after a meal may not always be an option, especially for students and people at work. In that case, seeking out bright light may be a good alternative. Exposure to bright light may have a similar effect as a nap on postprandial sleepiness with the ability to improve alertness.

Improve Nightly Sleep

Getting sufficient sleep at night can reduce excessive daytime sleepiness, which may translate to less drowsiness after a meal.

Improving sleep often starts by developing better sleep hygiene, which refers to habits that affect nightly rest. Having a steady sleep schedule, making the bedroom dark, quiet, and comfortable, and limiting caffeine intake late in the day are examples of steps to enhance sleep hygiene.

Avoid Eating Too Late at Night

While sleepiness after a meal is often associated with lunch, it can also occur after dinner, especially when it is eaten late in the evening.

Some people may be inclined to have a late dinner, but research suggests that eating shortly before bed Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source can disrupt healthy sleep patterns. A late dinner has also been associated with a higher risk of health problems like obesity and metabolic syndrome Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Get Active

Post-meal sleepiness may be related to general daytime fatigue. Some research has found that regular exercise can reduce fatigue. It is always wise to consult with a health care provider before beginning a new exercise plan, but finding a way to get regular physical activity may improve energy levels.

Stay Hydrated

Water intake is another factor that affects energy and fatigue. Both dehydration and hyperhydration can result in feelings of fatigue and tiredness Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Taking steps to stay properly hydrated may help the body maintain a more consistent level of alertness and energy, including after meals.

When You Should Talk to A Doctor

Postprandial sleepiness is common, but there are circumstances in which it may be linked to a more serious condition. People should talk with a doctor if they show signs of excessive or problematic sleepiness, such as:

• Postprandial sleepiness that interferes with work, school, or social obligations
• Drowsiness that occurs when driving or operating heavy machinery
• Excessive tiredness or falling asleep at multiple points during the day
• Postprandial sleepiness accompanied by other symptoms or health changes