Lunch ideas to beat the afternoon sleepiness??

janetay01

Pretty much as the title asks! What are good, filling lunch ideas that don't leave me wanting to have a nap at my desk after lunch. Ideally quick (and cost effective) options that I can prepare at home to take with me - when I'm not at work I spend much of my time running round after my 10 month old - so spare time is at a premium

Machka9

Water ... drink a tall glass of cold water with lunch.

Sometimes the reason we're sleepy after lunch is that we're dehydrated.

cityruss

Which foods make you feel like you need to take a nap?

DancingMoosie

I always feel like a lot of carbs makes me sleepy. I try to avoid pasta, especially, at lunch. A little potato or a high-fiber roll, fruit and veggies seem to work ok. Pair with a protein and a little fat to balance it out. Maybe a little caffeine would help? Nothing too strong, maybe iced tea would help.

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lisalsd1

I drink about a liter of green tea in the afternoon...just enough caffeine.

bluestarlight19

I usually cook up in the oven a batch of marinated chicken on the weekend. Use any flavor, bbq, italian dressing, terriaki, or just spices etc that you feel like that week. Then I just bring that batch of chicken with me to work with extra fixings. So if I feel like sandwiches...i can make chicken sandwiches, add low cal bread or a 100 cal pita pocket with a bit of cheese, sometimes some spanish olives. Sometimes I'll bring salad stuff and make chicken salads for the week, with things like spring mix, tomatoes and cranberries or dried apricots, nuts, cucumbers. I can get pretty versatile. I find too many carbs make me sleepy as well, I needed more protein at lunch, and to actually avoid afternoon coffee. But also....if you have a 10 month old...make sure you are getting enough sleep at night, lol. That could be why your sleepy in the afternoons too...at least that was my reason when mine was that old.

janetay01

machka9 - the water is a good reminder, I'm trying to make sure I drink my water regularly but don't always do well with it - particularly at work.
dancingmoosie - yes, I think I'm maybe on carb overload at lunch - sandwiches, pasta etc and I'm not sure that it's helping me. Have tried a jacket potato today with some tuna and veg and cottage cheese so we'll see how I do on that.
catscats2 - thankfully yes to the sleep, my little one sleeps through now so not concerned on the sleep front. Nutrients - not sure, good question. Never generally had a problem nutrient/vitamin wise but can't do any harm - and could help me fend off the inevitable lurgies that little one is bring back from nursery with him
bluestarlight - going to try and up the protein and make myself salads to take with me, one of the challenges is always finding something good and healthy (and cheap!) to eat from the places around the office. As above, I think I'm ok with the sleep - I got lucky with my little lad and sleep

Thanks all - I think generally I've let things slip in the last year and I simply need to make more of an effort to eat well - find stuff that actually makes me feel good during the day rather than ever so slightly sluggish! On my 5th glass of water for the day - trying to be good

Francl27

Switch to complex carbs - whole grain breads, whole wheat pasta, lots of veggies. Soup is great too. And coffee after, lol.

janetay01

Thanks Francl27 - I'll try doing that.

kshama2001

Sandwiches with bread made from flour make me sleepy but I can eat sandwiches if I use bread from sprouted grains like Food for Life/Ezekial or Alvarado St Bakery. Yes, it's more expensive, but worth it for me, cuz sandwiches are very convenient for lunch. Other than that, I have leftovers - chicken, potato, veg - or a substantial smoothie.

starwhisperer6

not food related, but if I get up and move some after I eat I push past that sleepy feeling. It is right at .25 of a mile around my work building so I walk it.