I recently came across a very interesting term: postprandial sleepiness or food coma. Do you have any idea what that is? Well, neither did I! If you already know what that is, you already have a pretty clear idea of what I am about to discuss in this article.

So, how did I come across something that sounds so scary (at least to me)? I don’t know about you guys and how you feel after eating, but this is my typical day. When I wake up, I make a healthy meal (healthy because it’s low in sugars). I am generally on a sugar-deficient diet and will probably have eggs, toast, Weetabix, oats, or any other healthy cereal. I also have fruit right before breakfast- a pear, orange, banana, you name it. Once I am done eating and probably catching up on a comedy show, you would think that I would be amped and ready to start my workday. But then this happens- I start feeling drowsy. I can barely stay awake and have to push myself for the half-hour that follows, trying to get some work done. As someone working in the creative industry who does not drink coffee, you can imagine how hard this must be. Then I have lunch, and the same feeling hits me, signalling that it’s time for bed. Does this describe you?

I was bothered by this feeling for a long time, and I even gave in to it now and then and hit the sack for a few hours after lunch. I later realized that while napping was good, it took a lot of productive time off my hands. Plus, I was already getting a good 7-9 hours at night of sleep, so the drowsiness was not a result of not sleeping enough.

It’s this curiosity and somewhat frustration that led me to draft this fascinating article that will help me, you, and anyone else who has fallen victim to postprandial sleepiness or postprandial somnolence.

What is a Food Coma? Is it a thing?

Have you ever seen those Thanksgiving jokes where people eat to their fill and pass out on their plates? While it may not be this extreme, in reality, some people do get worn out after eating! For most people, the intense fatigue hits after having had a huge meal, and the feeling can last for hours. You can either lie in bed or on the couch catching up on movies or texts or give in to the lethargy and sleep. For me, it’s more of struggling to stay awake when working or finally spending the afternoon in bed and catching up on Couples’ Court.

It might not seem like a real thing, but even scientists have looked into it- yikes. It must have taken quite a few people to actually pass out for scientists to take this as seriously as they did. Unfortunately (which is a bummer), they cannot agree on what actually causes the food coma. That means that we have to work with an eliminate approach when understanding what affects each individual. However, there is some good news. The scientists (hurrah) can agree on the symptoms, which are:

• Laziness and a general feeling of heaviness
• Bloating or belly tightness in some people

Can you relate? I can relate to both. So far, so good. Now, what causes these pesky symptoms?

What causes food comas?

The term postprandial sleepiness might have you thinking that you may have caught a bug or something. It turns out that the proof is actually in the pudding. Let me break this down. As scientists have studied this condition for years and argued about their theories, they can agree that some habits are more of culprits than others. So, what can we blame?

Tryptophan-Loaded Foods

Do you know what tryptophan is? It’s an amino acid present in meat, dairy products, and other foods high in protein. They include eggs, spinach, soy products, cheese, seeds, and poultry. (Come to think of it, I have milk with almost all my meals and might have already found my culprit. Whole milk contains up to 732mg of this amino acid per quart!) Most types of meat also have this amino acid, with the key culprit being turkey. Do you remember when I said that people pass out after their Thanksgiving meals? The next time you do, you know who you can blame.

This amino acid does not act alone, and it needs the help of a carb-rich food to enter the brain. It can be anything from mashed potatoes to corn cobs to white rice to white bread and crackers. Anything with carbs will work the magic (I am guilty of consuming white rice). With the help of carbs, the amino acid makes its way to the brain and boosts serotonin levels, which decrease your general arousal. You end up feeling relaxed and lazy, prompting you to sleep.

It also helps to note that tryptophan works with serotonin to boost melatonin, the hormone that helps your body go to sleep. It’s basically tucking yourself to bed one spoon of mashed potatoes and turkey after the other. What an interesting find!

Blood Flow Changes

I’ll be brief with this one because it has been the source of debate for a while now. According to some scientists, when you have a large meal, blood flow to the brain reduces in lieu of blood flow to the digestive system. It would make sense were it not for the many scientists who have come forward stating that digestion barely impacts blood flow. For this one, I will hold my opinion and allow you to vote on it in the comment section.

High Calorie and High-Fat Meals

What do you typically have for lunch? With busy workdays, cravings, changing moods, and temptations, it’s easy to grab junk food on the go. If you think that your fries and soft drink combo is to blame for your sleepiness, you could be right. So far, we have covered two theories- tryptophan-loaded meals and blood flow changes. Some scientists do not agree with these notions and insist that a high fat or high-calorie meal is the cause of this lethargy.

A small group of researchers engaged test subjects in eating fatty yet low carb meals to prove their point. They based their research on the fact that high CCK levels (a hormone that suppresses hunger) were seen in rats. They also believed that there was a link between high CCK levels and lethargy. On finding that the subjects also exhibited high CCK levels after eating the fatty meals, they concluded that the fat content could be to blame.

In another study, researchers attempted to link feelings of satiety to increased sleepiness. According to them, eating high-fat or high-calorie meals signals the brain to reduce arousal and trigger sleepiness. What’s your take on this?

Large Food Amounts

Are you guilty of filling up your plate? If yes, you may be more likely to suffer postprandial sleepiness than people who eat smaller meals. It’s easy to fill up on lunch after a hard morning. However, it might cause you to suffer an afternoon slump. It works like this. First, your energy levels go up, and you’re the person giving people high fives, cracking jokes, and making reels. Then you are the coworker hunched over your desk, trying to stay awake while everyone else seems fine.

Poor Sleeping Habits

Not getting enough quality sleep can affect how you feel after you have had a meal. Please note that I used the word quality as opposed to quantity. You can be in bed for nine hours and wake up feeling worse than someone who only slept five hours. Rest is crucial, and not getting enough of it can leave you prone to feeling tired after having your meals.

Low Activity Levels

You might also be feeling sluggish if you have not been very active of late. I usually find that I make it through the day without suffering much fatigue on weeks where I am serious about my morning exercise. But on the days where I slump, my energy levels also take a hit. Being sedentary can affect your sleep quality and, subsequently, how energetic you feel during the day.

Sickness

If all the above causes do not resonate with you, it might be time to get a health checkup. You could be ailing, and the drowsiness could be but a sign of this. Possible medical conditions include anemia, diabetes, food intolerance, and celiac disease. If you have underlying conditions, talk to your doctor about what you can do to manage the condition better. If you are not aware of pre-existing conditions, it might be time to consult your doctor and get your checkup.

So, that’s what I have for you regarding the possible causes of food comas. While it might seem scary, it’s a normal part of digestion and should not cause worry. However, if it disrupts your routine (like it does with mine), you may need to look into possible solutions. Next, I will cover what you can do once you notice you might be a victim of postprandial sleepiness.