Have you ever felt an indescribable tiredness in the middle of the workday without any particular reason? You’ve had a good night’s sleep but you can not stop yawning after lunch? Just like the fact that certain foods can give you extra energy there are some that can make you feel sluggish and tired. Avoid these foods in the morning or for lunch, especially if you have a busy day.
1. Bananas – Foods rich in magnesium such as bananas and pumpkin seeds can make you feel tired. This mineral is an excellent muscle relaxant, and is a good choice as a snack before bed, but during the day it can suck up your energy.
2. White bread – If you choose foods with high glycemic index (white flour) instead of the one with low glycemic index such as wholegrain bread chances are that you will feel fatigue during the day. These foods do not have enough fiber, and do not provide enough energy for the day.
3. Red meat – Strong meat such as steaks and burgers can make you feel tired. Why? These foods take a long time to digest, so they drain all physical energy. Instead of these foods you can choose meat rich in omega 3 fatty acids. They promote better functioning of the brain and better focus and concentration.
4. Cherries – It is scientifically proven that cherries are perfect food for a good sleep because they have a lot of melatonin. For the same reason, they are not good food during the day, because they will make you sleepy and slow you down.
5. Sweets – Strong sweets after lunch can put you in a real energy coma. A large amount of blood sugar triggers the secretion of insulin which continues to affect the excessive secretion of the amino acid tryptophan in the brain that ultimately makes you feel sleepy and tired. So, skip dessert after lunch and eat it after dinner.
6. Coffee – You might have thought that coffee has the opposite effect, but this is actually a warm drink that makes you feel tired. How? When you drink a cup of coffee it wakes you up, but only for a short time – an hour, hour and a half – and then you go back to the previous state. Experts recommend a daily dose of coffee 200-300ml and you should be sipping it for a longer period of time. Morning coffee should be finished until noon! The best way to build energy is to consume fiber-rich breakfast, pastries, whole grains, protein, and finish with fresh fruit.
