What to eat when you are tired

TRD66
TRD66 Posts: 310 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I sometimes, like most people, get a bit tired in the afternoon, especially if I've had a poor night's sleep. I used to eat a bar of chocolate and a fizzy drink to wake me up a bit, but as that's about 300-400 calories, I'm looking for alternative. Any suggetions?

Replies

  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    have a short sleep or get out in the fresh air and have a short, brisk walk
  • JenniDaisy
    JenniDaisy Posts: 526 Member
    Coffee obviously. But what would be better is taking a nap, or getting a better nights sleep.
  • Cassie_DE
    Cassie_DE Posts: 58 Member
    Drink something like an espresso then immediately take a powernap if you can. In twenty minutes the caffeine'll hit and you'll be up and about so fast you won't believe it, lol. Take it from a college student.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    More sleep?
  • TRD66
    TRD66 Posts: 310 Member
    Can't take a nap, 'coz I'm at work (well I can, but then I won't be working for long) and similar for the walk. I also don't like coffee. I know....I'm not making this easy!

    Any other suggestions??

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    eat chocolate
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Kari121869
    Kari121869 Posts: 180 Member
    Dark chocolate is ok for you - try to get sugarfree if you can - but if you can't the 'darker' the better... it's my 'go to' if I can't get outside and need a little 'pick me up' as I don't drink coffee.
  • ksolksol
    ksolksol Posts: 194 Member
    Like you, afternoons are when I fade, even though I sleep enough. I keep controlled portion, reasonably healthy snacks at the office. If I need that sugar jolt, I tend to go with a piece or two of dried fruit. I've been trying more often than not to focus on protein, so I keep jerky and roasted edamame on hand, and those little Babybel cheeses in the fridge -- one of those with a couple of dates goes a long way. I also keep some extremely dark chocolate (I think the last I bought is 75% cocoa) because a little bit of that goes a long way.

    One trick I've learned is to buy the little snack-sized ziplocs and make my own portion-controlled snack packs. If you know this is when you need a bite, just plan for it so that you can make a reasonable choice that fits with your overall food goals.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Tea, diet soda, or just deal with it for a few days and try to sleep more.

    For me eating because I was tired in the afternoon was mostly an emotional habit thing that went away when I stopped giving into it, and partly about a cycle of waking myself up with carbs and then crashing. When I changed my diet to be better balanced and just ignored the psychological cues for a few days, it went away. At most, if not caffeine, try munching on something like carrots or some berries or nuts. You'll get some energy without playing into any spike the blood sugar cycle you have going on.

    Now when I get that feeling it's almost always because I've been under sleeping, so I don't address it with food.
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    Coffee
    Non-decaf tea (green, black, etc.)
    A small serving of dark chocolate (22-80 calories)
    A small snack (this is my go-to method, but I plan for these calories in my day every week day)
  • vamaena
    vamaena Posts: 217 Member
    I read somewhere a while back that apples are supposed to help keep you awake. Unfortunately I can't find that specific article but if you google "apples and alertness" you'll find plenty of articles on how they make a good caffeine replacement.

    I usually get between 6-8 hours of sleep at night and come late afternoon I always feel drained and sleepy. I started to eat an apple and it usually perks me up a little. . It could be just a placebo effect but it if is as long as it works then I'll keep doing it. It's not like it's unhealthy. If I'm extra sleepy I also try to go for a short walk (usually from one end of my floor to the other since I'm at work) and I'll drink some water. That usually does the trick. The act of getting up and moving around.
  • Patttience
    Patttience Posts: 975 Member
    If you are trying to lose weight, i hardly think that eating chocolate is sound advice. If you have to eat , try fruit. If you are hungry, have a simple sandwich with something like sardines. If you think its got too many calories, eat less later on.

    It is true that lack of sleep makes you hungry. So make sure you get yourself a better night's sleep. Go to bed earlier so that you feel better at work.
  • FatJockSing
    FatJockSing Posts: 164 Member
    Patttience wrote: »
    If you are trying to lose weight, i hardly think that eating chocolate is sound advice.

    If it fits your macros - and it works why is it NOT sound advice???? It may mean swapping some other food out to hit the numbers . . . but . . . "Good Food/Bad food is bad information!! Grrrrrrrrrr Pattttience indeed.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    My lunch makes a difference. If it's not balanced and too heavy on carbs I crash at about two. I eat veggies, protein with carbs from cottage cheese. I drink a large iced coffee about three thirty. Do you drink caffeine in tea?
    More sleep at night will help.
  • fitcrt
    fitcrt Posts: 76 Member
    Maybe also look at what you are eating for lunch which may be making you feel tired & switch to a lunch that will make you feel energized - like a salad with protein.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    edited October 2014
    I've heard over and over that "an apple and a glass of water gives you the same energy boost as a cup of coffee." Now, I'm not saying it's gospel and I don't have studies and links to back it up, all I have is the trivia game card that I originally got it from and my own personal experience with it working... but it's a low calorie, portable, work-friendly option you can at least try and if it does work for you, bonus.

    I did find this article which mentions mid-day fatigue, and the first two suggestions are to drink water and eat apples. For whatever it's worth, here's the link sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/969311/all-natural-ways-to-boost-your-energy
  • jouttie
    jouttie Posts: 109 Member
    Prunes. They are sweet and tasty and the prompt laxative effect gets you sprinting to the loo, waking you up in the process :D
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Sleep more. Eat food. It's not that hard.

    Instead of all of the long-worded alternative suggestions made on here, this. Simple and more effective.
  • askeates
    askeates Posts: 1,490 Member
    I have the same issue... I will down a glass of water, take a brisk walk around the parking lot, and if I still want (not necessarily need) something to snack on then I will get either some honey roasted peanuts or fruit.
  • TRD66
    TRD66 Posts: 310 Member
    Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

    My lunch is fairly balanced with a meat sandwich, some fruit, a babybel. I'm not really a tea drinker either (as someone asked), but apples and water, as well as walk round the office are simple and easy to do. I'll give that a go next time. I'll also look into the dark chocolate as I'll be back to my running next week, and I'll have more calories to play with.

  • trisH_7183
    trisH_7183 Posts: 1,486 Member
    fitcrt wrote: »
    Maybe also look at what you are eating for lunch which may be making you feel tired & switch to a lunch that will make you feel energized - like a salad with protein.

    This......I do the same at home or where ever after carb heavy lunch.Maybe a can of tuna & a slice of cheese? Lettuce wraps with a slice of thin ham? Trying sticking with proten only.

  • habit365
    habit365 Posts: 174
    Emergen-C gives me a nice boost if I need one. If you don't dilute it too much, it tastes kind of like Tang. :D
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    FatJockSing wrote: »
    Patttience wrote: »
    If you are trying to lose weight, i hardly think that eating chocolate is sound advice.

    If it fits your macros - and it works why is it NOT sound advice???? It may mean swapping some other food out to hit the numbers . . . but . . . "Good Food/Bad food is bad information!! Grrrrrrrrrr Pattttience indeed.

    Yeah, IIFYM. I've lost 65 pounds, and I have a piece of chocolate everyday. There are no inherently good/bad foods, nor foods you should avoid (unless medically necessary). There may be some foods that are more nutritious than others, but you don't have to avoid those that some people normally see as bad or junk.
  • meemo88
    meemo88 Posts: 436 Member
    avacado
  • April_KT
    April_KT Posts: 332 Member
    edited October 2014
    Bananas!!
  • bohoT
    bohoT Posts: 37 Member
    Blue diamond makes cinnamon sugar almonds that are sweet but not as high in sugar. That and a diet pop or coffee will usually hit the spot for me.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,333 Member
    look at your net calories for the day… if they are low.. you are most likely drained due to lack of nutrients. I noticed that myself after exercising…and realizing i was in the negative halfway through the day.

    I could feel myself come back to life.. when i drank a South Beach protein drink (100 calories).. I was at the store when i started sinking and fast.. just bought it out of desperation and was amazed at how i felt better immediately. I think it was the protein in the drink. Now i pay attention to net calories and make sure i eat to recover..

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