Preventing Post-Lunch Sluggishness

Ever wonder why you feel tired and sluggish after lunch?

Sometimes, it seems that no matter what we eat, once we eat lunch, it’s all downhill until about 3 or 4:00. What’s with that?

All I know is that it’s quite annoying. I mean, we have things we have to get done in the early afternoon, and we need energy to do them!

How do we make the best of the situation? Here are 6 tips:

Make Lunch from Home

Even if we don’t eat very much when we go out to eat, we often feel tired because of all the salt that is put into food prepared in restaurants. Making lunch from home in the morning before you go to work, or using your lunch break to come home and enjoy leftovers from last night’s dinner can help eliminate this problem.  

Eat a Light Lunch

It can be difficult to strike a balance between eating too much and too little at lunch. Too much and we feel tired and sluggish; too little and we feel unfocused and brain-dead. Find the amount of food that makes you feel satisfied and energized without weighing you down.

Take a Brisk Walk

Consider using some of your lunch break to take a brisk walk in a local park or area near your workplace. If no parks are nearby, jog or walk up and down stairs a few times until you get your heart rate up.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Invest in a reusable water bottle that you can refill throughout the day. This is especially important if you exercise regularly or if you’re in the habit of eating out often. Staying hydrated will also keep your skin and hair healthy and contribute to a well-functioning digestive system.

Take a Stretch Break

When you get a few spare minutes, concentrate on stretching muscles that are not getting used while sitting---if you have a sedentary job. If you have an active job, you may want to take this time to sit down for a few minutes and relax your muscles while breathing deeply.

Listen to Music

If your job or schedule allows for it, try listening to music while you work. Depending on the kind of work you do, this can be an effective way to concentrate and enliven your mood.  

Hummus

Along with these tips, try incorporating the following recipe for hummus into your lunch routine. One of the great things about hummus is that it stores well in the fridge for a few days, so it can be made in advance.

Try using hummus to lighten up and add variety to your lunchbox. Use as a dip for veggies or pita bread, or as a spread for sandwiches.

1 can garbanzo beans, drained

½ large or 1 small lemon

1 large or 2 small cloves garlic

¼ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)

½ cup water

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ cup olive oil

Empty the drained can of garbanzo beans into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade.

Squeeze the half or whole lemon into the food processor.

Press the garlic in a garlic press, or mince, and add to the processor.

Add the tahini, water, cayenne pepper, cumin, and sea salt.

Blend for about 30 seconds, until beans are completely mashed.

With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil and process until incorporated.

Empty the hummus into a bowl, sprinkle with extra cayenne pepper if desired, and enjoy with warm whole wheat pita bread or fresh vegetables.