AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON TIRED AFTER EATING

After a big meal, like Thanksgiving or Christmas day, it's normal to feel tired. Feeling fatigued after every meal, on the other hand, is frustrating, especially when you've got a deadline to meet. Food is supposed to energize you. But if food frequently makes you drowsy, there's something wrong. Postprandial drowsiness isn't just an annoyance in Ayurveda, it's one of the most important warning signs your body uses to tell you it needs help.

For kapha individuals, fatigue after eating is the first and most important sign that you have a Kapha imbalance. Kapha is one of the three body types in Ayurveda. It is the body type most often associated with heaviness. A kapha imbalance could mean you are gaining weight, that mucus is building up in your respiratory tract, or even that your blood sugar levels, triglycerides or cholesterol levels are elevated. Attentiveness to this single symptom can help Kapha individuals avoid or regulate these conditions. It could mean that your metabolism is too slow or sluggish to digest the food. It could be a sign of poor circulation. Finally, feeling tired after eating could mean that you have too much mucus in your stomach. Ayurveda pays close attention early warning signs like fatigue after eating. Self-awareness up-front prevents disease and keeps your body vital and healthy.

So if food makes you tired how do you lighten up and regain your zeal? What will restore your mental alertness and motivation? To begin, check your portions. Larger portions make you tired. According to Ayurveda you should eat no more than what would fit in your two hands if they were a bowl. Digestion takes a lot of energy. If you overeat you will strain your metabolism. Your gut will slave away trying to digest the enormous portion. If you feel tired after a meal, recall what you ate and adjust accordingly.

Eat only when truly hungry. Don't force yourself to eat breakfast if you aren't hungry. Instead, make a nice cup of ginger tea. If your digestive tract is backed up with old food, it might need a break to get caught up and detox. Fasting for a day can be beneficial if you're otherwise healthy and strong. Eating a simple meal like kitchari for 3-5 days can also help give your gut a breather.

Next look at what you're eating. Heavy foods like wheat, dairy, sugar and red meat make you tired, Try lighter foods like salad, spelt bread, or vegetables. Instead of pizza or a sandwich, opt for soup. Use fresh herbs like parsley, oregano and thyme to keep your meal zesty. Seek out the foods which energize you.

Favor foods with bitter flavor - like dandelion greens, arugula and kale. These foods stimulate movement in your digestive track - freshening it up so to speak. Eat your food warm and well spiced - especially if you tend to have sluggish digestion. Digestive spices like ginger, cardamom, mint and black pepper can help put the pep back in your step. And speaking of step, take a short walk after meals to stimulate blood flow and metabolism. These spices can also break up excess mucus in your GI tract.

You can also try these Joyful Belly Formulas to put the spring back your step: Digestive Bitters, CCF.

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