Have you ever noticed that you start to feel fatigued after lunch? You might wake up feeling great and ready to start the day, but as soon as you’ve been at work for a few hours and have eaten lunch, you start to feel groggy and unable to focus? You’re not alone. Many people experience the midday slump whether they’re at work or home. 

Diet Impacts Energy Levels

If you’re getting enough quality sleep with your favorite shoulder relief pillow and exercising daily but not looking after your diet, you might experience a daily dip in energy. People who eat well-balanced diets and take their vitamins, typically have more stable energy levels because of the healthy food they consume. Eating poorly can leave you feeling drained before the day is even over. 

Foods that Beat the Midday Slump

While there are plenty of foods that can increase your chances of feeling tired, drained, and slow in the afternoon, there are many that can help you completely avoid it. Of course, your diet should always be paired with other healthy lifestyle choices like regular exercise and stress management. If you want to change the way you feel in the afternoon, consider eating these foods. 

Nuts

While it might be tempting to reach for a bag of chips in the afternoon, consider something that’s a little more nutritious, such as nuts. Nuts are full of fiber and protein that can help you beat cravings and feel more energetic even during slow afternoons. 

Bananas

Bananas contain carbohydrates and vitamin B6, which can help boost your energy levels midday. Vitamin B6 is known to help your body create and use energy while reducing tiredness and fatigue at all hours of the day. 

Chickpeas

If you experience brain fog as part of your afternoon slump, consider adding more iron to your diet. Iron can help you fight off fatigue. Unfortunately, it won’t immediately help you, but if you maintain your iron levels, you can feel more alert throughout the day. 

Whole Wheat Toast

Whole wheat toast contains glucose, an energy source for your brain and nervous system. Glucose can be found in whole wheat and other types of grains. 

Soup

Soup is a light lunch option that can help you avoid eating junk food because it’s filling. Soups contain both protein and carbohydrates that can boost your energy levels and help you stay full without being too full throughout the afternoon. 

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another light lunch option. It’s a good source of energy due to glycogen that can help fuel your entire body, including your brain. While oatmeal is a great breakfast food, it also is an ideal lunch or midday snack. 

Yogurt

Yogurt is an ideal work snack because it contains probiotics that are healthy bacteria. Yogurt also contains magnesium and calcium, which can help you feel more alert the rest of the day. 

Oranges

The scent of oranges can be enough to wake you up after lunch, but they’re also a great snack. Oranges are packed with vitamin C, potassium, folate, and fiber. Whit them you can keep your skin young and healthy, they have an effect of Botox injections.

Eggs

Eggs are another breakfast food that can help you maintain your energy levels all day long. Not only are eggs a great source of protein, but they contain leucine, an amino acid that can help your body produce more energy. They are also loaded with B vitamins, which are essential for energy. 

Sweet Potatoes

You might only eat sweet potatoes for dinner, but they’re a great pick-me-up snack or addition to your lunch. Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates and fiber so you can absorb the carbs and convert them into energy. They also contain manganese, which can help break down other types of nutrients to help fuel your body. 

Dark Chocolate

If you’re trying to beat the midday slump, you don’t have to completely give up sweets. Dark chocolate is the healthier chocolate option because it contains antioxidants, which can improve blood flow and give your brain more oxygen to fight afternoon fatigue. Dark chocolate also contains caffeine, which can give you a little bit of a boost without the need for a full cup of coffee. 

Foods to Avoid

While there are plenty of foods you should eat during lunch or for a snack to help you boost your energy levels, there are many foods you should avoid as they can cause fatigue. These include:

Sugary Cereals

Many bowls of cereal are healthy for breakfast or a snack, but there are unhealthy cereals we tend to go for instead of those filled with whole grains and no added sugar. Unfortunately, even some of the healthy cereal choices contain sugar, which can make you feel hungrier and impact your blood sugar levels, making you feel fatigued in the afternoon. 

Caffeinated Drinks

Most people drink caffeinated drinks, such as energy drinks, coffee, and tea, to help them stay energized throughout the day. However, some of these drinks can make you feel tired. It all depends on what is in those drinks. For example, black coffee is a healthier option to help you avoid afternoon fatigue, but coffee loaded with cream, sugar, and sauces can be too sugary and make you feel tired in the afternoon. 

If you want to drink caffeinated drinks to help you fight off afternoon fatigue, consider sugar-free options like unsweetened tea.

Donuts

If you work in an office, you’re bound to see donuts now and then. Sometimes your coworkers will bring them in to share, and other times management will reward you for your hard work with a sweet treat. Unfortunately, donuts are fatty and sugary, which can drain your energy as your body digests them. The sugar in donuts will give you a sugar crash later, and that extra intake can make you feel slow and sluggish. 

Fast Food

Fast food is one of the worst lunch choices you can make. The grease and fat in fast food can slow you down as soon as you’re done eating it. Instead of running out for food during lunch, consider packing your lunch so you can avoid burgers and fries at all costs. 

Your body requires fuel that can keep it going all day long. Unfortunately, you can incorrectly fuel your body and feel the midday slump right after lunch. But, the good news is if you pack your lunch and begin making healthier choices during the day, you’ll start to notice more energy in the afternoons.