Why do we get sleepy after we eat?

Yes it does happen, especially if the meal was of a high carbohydrate nature. There have been a lot of studies about this and it has been established as a fact. The reason is the blood sugar level in the body, which in a normal person rises as the food is digested. This triggers the sleepiness. About half an hour later when the digestive organs such as liver, pancreas release enzymes for digestion and assimilation, there is a release of energy and you come back to normal alertness.

This happens to me also when I eat a big meal. I think that after you eat a big meal a good amount of your blood is rushing to your stomach and digestive system to help you process the food. If you need to stay awake in order to read for school you could try eating smaller meals just frequently instead of all at once. Or have a healthy snack, then do all your reading and eat afterwards. I don't know what kind of schedule you have so this may not be possible.

Hi, rosepedal64. The only reason that I can think of is that, the meal that you have eaten was a very fulfilling meal. It sat on your stomach and it is going to take a while to digest. As you relax your body gets sleepy. I am the same way too. I always get so sleepy after I eat a big dinner or meal.

We feel very sleepy due to the excess heat produced to burn the food. This is what i feel, at times it is also because you have loaded your self a lot.

Hi~~~Thanks for this discussion. I also had the same experience sometimes.I think this is a human instinct.

I don't know why it happens. Everyones answers sound good to me. I found that it is even worse for me in the summer. So, it must have something to do with the heat and also the hot meals. So, I've shifted my meal plan in the summer. I only eat sandwiches or salads for lunch. I used to eat a big lunch and then bam---within 30 minutes I'd be looking for my bed or sofa. I found a few ways to help me get over this. If I just can't resist a nap, I sit in a chair and dose off for a bit---so I don't go into a deep sleep. When I really want to fight the urge to nap, I either go outside and walk around a bit or a I take a quick shower. I found if I'm active after I eat then the urge to sleep usually goes away within an hour. But if I sit in front of the computer or TV---I'm off to dreamland

rosepeda hi hatley here its a chemical in protein food'\ called melatonin that makes you sleepy. that is why doctors often tell you to eat a small snack at bedtime of meat like turkey and bread,it will make you sleepy. melatonin is often used to help people sleep better.

maybe we feel sleepy when we ate a lot of food our system has to digest. have you tried eating less and you still feel sleepy?

This is due to your stomach having fill enough of food that you really feel heavy and because of this feeling you have a desire to take a nap. This usually happen when you sit longer after you eat and never try to move from your seat. I also observe myself if I get too tired i sleep easily. Also when i am already feel sleepy I even sleep immediately forgetting even to brush my teeth which I find very funny. Eating makes you sleepy because your body feel heavy after eating and it feels relax that it invites you to sleep

Dude, reading this post made me feel a little sleepy. I guess that's the power of suggestion. Someone mentioned the heat used to cook meals. That may in fact be true, because warm milk has been used to help people get to sleep when suffering from insomnia. Processed food is pull unnatural junk, so maybe it's that as well. It could also be your intake. one large meal can zap you of your energy, but several small meals throughout the day won't have tath same adverse affect.

Well for me I don't really know the reason but I think it might be because all oxygen goes to the stomach or so but then I stumble upon this site which tells why, you may check it as I don't want to just copy a site as it would not be fare :D Here is the site: http://linkturtle.com/l/14822 Happy MyLotting

it depends on how many we eat. that's why i stop eating during luch because it get's me sleepy and it's like the post falling and standing up, like am about to fall down anytime with only one lucky punch left.some times, i drink energy drink or coffee

Hello, maybe you feel tired out because of the whole process of a big meal. You know, we are supported to be happy and talkative and active at that time. It is different from a more casual and relaxing small meal.

Well, after meal, blood concentrate on your stomach; Therefore, your brain lack of OXYGEN to lead to you fell sleepy. In addition, it is time that you sleep is not sufficient. Thus i suggest that you should accustom to sleep earlier.

Yes Rose, this is due to the fact that after taking our meal, our stomach requires more blood to well digest the eaten food! So our other organs receive the lesser blood supply! For this reason we feel sleepy and laziness with yawning, after we digest ine fsrtYes Krist, life is really very precious and every moment of it must be well plannrd for a worthy living! Nothing is more imporant than the worth of time! Time only combines with life to make life-time that is the main resource of a person! So, it is a matter of great concern that time makes many changes and time makes every solution both for poor and rich people's lives! I always appreciate every moment as well as everyday I live!! Have always a nice living!!

Dear friend As I know After meal the all nerve are activated and want to take rest. If you know the right answer I request please give the answer. Bye.

It's the amount of insulin your body (the pancreas) releases and how your cells respond to the insulin. Insulin allows the blood sugar to pass through the cell wall. When your blood sugar drops, the sleepies and being tired gets you. Some people have cells more sensitive to the insulin and thus are tired after every meal. Reducing the amount you eat helps a few but not all. I fall asleep almost every time I eat (morning, noon, and night). I usually will sleep 20 - 30 minutes. Then I have energy and very good memory and response skills. Fighting the sleep makes me a bear. If I "nibble" all through the day, I won't get tired. If I eat a few grapes, an apple, and a banana, then I'm gonna need that cat nap. Im that sensitive.