Falling asleep every afternoon

[MitchT]

Every day it’s the same. I usually get up at about 7:00 and start work at 8:00 (NB. Short commute). I start my lunch at about 12:45, finishing at about 13:15. At about 14:00 I start to feel sleepy. By 14:30 I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. This continues ‘till I go home at 16:00 and then starts to improve. I probably don’t get quite as much sleep as I should – six hours or so – but due to the timing I’m thinking it’s something to do with my lunch. Can anyone provide any advice on what to avoid eating so I don’t struggle to stay awake in the afternoon, and what to eat instead to feel alert and energised?

[Efbe]

MitchT said:

Every day it’s the same. I usually get up at about 7:00 and start work at 8:00 (NB. Short commute). I start my lunch at about 12:45, finishing at about 13:15. At about 14:00 I start to feel sleepy. By 14:30 I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. This continues ‘till I go home at 16:00 and then starts to improve. I probably don’t get quite as much sleep as I should – six hours or so – but due to the timing I’m thinking it’s something to do with my lunch. Can anyone provide any advice on what to avoid eating so I don’t struggle to stay awake in the afternoon, and what to eat instead to feel alert and energised?

what are you doing in your lunch break?
>i'd suggest going outside and getting some exercise/fresh air
also are you going for coffee in the morning?
>the effects of coffee in the morning will wear out at some point, you could be feeling this?

[RemainAllHoof]

It's your lunch. Stop eating white bread or other processed carbs. Stick to brown bread/brown pasta/brown rice etc. Or try couscous/quinoa/bulger wheat instead of rice/pasta. Look up the GI diet for more info on what's going on.

[0a]

Also, try being strict and setting a time mid afternoon to pop out and grab some fresh air. I pop out to an italian place a 5 min walk away and grab an espresso at 3:30, makes me far more productive.

[mr2mk1chick]

try 8 hours sleep

[tonym911]

thyroid is seen as a womanly problem but men can get it too

[sparks_E39]

Your problem is 6 hours sleep a night, you need 8.

[ClintonB]

RemainAllHoof said:

It's your lunch. Stop eating white bread or other processed carbs. Stick to brown bread/brown pasta/brown rice etc. Or try couscous/quinoa/bulger wheat instead of rice/pasta. Look up the GI diet for more info on what's going on.

More likely along these lines than not having 8+ hrs a night. Unless of course you're in that group who naturally need lots.
I used to suffer from exactly the same problem & now I very rarely do. Why? Stopped eating those nasty processed carbs (sarnies and crisp at least once a day) and lost some weight (which helped with breathing issues).
I probably don't have more than one 8 hr sleep session a month & don't often get more than 6, yet I hardly ever suffer like I used to.

Food wise I'd go for porridge for brekkie, a couple of pieces of fruit for snacks and salad (with some degree of meat/fish) for lunch. Or, a jar/pack of coffee a day

[HonestIago]

Another vote for getting rid of high GI carbs in lunch/breakfast. Even better would be to cut the carbs out. Are you particularly overweight? Tiredness after consuming carb-heavy meals CAN be a symptom of diabetes, I know this was the case for my Dad. Maybe get some tests done?

I'd also recommend trying a zinc/magnesium supplement before bed. It will improve your sleep quality and perhaps make you less sluggish through the day.

[MacGee]

I know what it is...you're a lazy Spanish bloke!!!