Still Getting Really Tired After Lunch And Am Wondering Why

[BelleVie]

Hello, everybody. I've only been completely gluten free for about a month now and I'm definitely starting to feel better. But there's one thing that's been bothering me, which is the very obvious dive in energy that happens right after lunch, almost every day. I'm certain my lunch is safe. Could it be a poor reaction to carbs? If so, is this just the way it's going to be, or after more healing will my body be able to handle carbs better in the future? Today I had veggie pancakes with marinara sauce, and soon after eating I felt really sleepy and started getting a headache. The pancakes were really chock full of veggies, so I don't think they were THAT carb heavy, but they were made with about two cups of Pamela's flour. Sigh. I just want to get through a day without feeling exhausted. 

[shadowicewolf]

Are you getting enough protein?

[BelleVie]

That is a good question, shadowicewolf. How much is "enough"? I'm a vegetarian, so I probably do get less than the average person. I can't do eggs. Hmmm. Do you think adding in some protein would help? If so, do you have any suggestions as to what I might eat? I eat beans sometimes, but they seem to give me the sleepies too. 

[1desperateladysaved]

Make sure all ingredients are completely gluten free.  If you have gluten foods in your kitchen you would have a harder task to do this.  Have your nutrient levels been checked?  I had troubles with mal-absorption which caused fatigue.  Do you take Vitamin B?  It is difficult to get enough without eating meat.    Fatigue can be a result of low vitamin B.  Are you getting enough fat? When I first began dieting for health, if I forgot to eat my coconut, olive oil, or butter, I would feel tired.  Have you considered other food intolerances?  One other thing that caused my fatigue is adrenal gland problems.  That can be checked using orthostatic blood pressure.  That's all I know to check.

 

One other thing is to hang in there.  Your body is no doubt working hard to recover.  I am 18 months gluten free (after 30+years) and am still experiencing the feeling my body is working hard and changing.  I feel great, though.

 

D

[shadowicewolf]

That is a good question, shadowicewolf. How much is "enough"? I'm a vegetarian, so I probably do get less than the average person. I can't do eggs. Hmmm. Do you think adding in some protein would help? If so, do you have any suggestions as to what I might eat? I eat beans sometimes, but they seem to give me the sleepies too. 

what about nuts?

[Gemini]

People get sleepy after lunch from eating too many carbs.  Most days for me I eat a large salad with many veggies and beans and then add a protein to it. You are vegetarian so it will prove more difficult. I usually add chicken or salmon or some other fish. I am the one who is running circles around all the sandwich eaters at work. By 3:00, they are running for coffee to stay awake and I don't need coffee in the afternoon.     Being vegetarian will cut down on your options if you are Celiac. I am not trashing the lifestyle but it does make food options more problematic. Whatever you choose, make sure you get as much protein as possible or you will not be feeding your muscles and be able to stay awake.  It really does make a difference.

[bartfull]

Soy, if you're not intolerant to it, will give you complete protein. And quinoa, if you can stand the stuff. I don't like it, but then again, I'm a lousy and lazy cook. There are folks here who really like it and know how to prepare it so it tastes OK.

[cap6]

You need protein.  No protein = no energy.  Every meal needs a balance.

[BelleVie]

Thank you, thank you everyone. 1desperateladysaved, I had all of my vitamin levels checked, including protein, a few months ago and everything looked normal. I take a multi and Vitamin D but not a specific B vitamin complex. I will look into that. I am almost certain that everything is safe. I've become fanatical since realizing that before when I THOUGHT I was eating gluten free, I actually wasn't, because there were lots of sneaky places where it was showing up (Oh, HI lip balm!) but I'll check again. Food intolerances, possibly tomatoes, but that one seems hit or miss. 

 

I think I'll start trying to do more nuts, as shadowicewolf suggested, and chickpeas with coconut or olive oil. Unfortunately, quinoa doesn't like me, though I like it! 

 

Thanks, Gemini. What sort of dressing do you have on your salad? 

 

Yes, there have been days when I've thought about going back to meat-eating, but the thought scares me!  

[bartfull]

When I first started I took a sub-lingual B12 and a sub-lingual biotin. Actually I took them both 3 times a day. I had so much energy after a while that I couldn't sit still!

[BelleVie]

So much energy you couldn't sit still? MY that sounds AMAZING. I'm sold. I'll try it. 

[BelleVie]

When I first started I took a sub-lingual B12 and a sub-lingual biotin. Actually I took them both 3 times a day. I had so much energy after a while that I couldn't sit still!

 

Do you recommend any particular brand, Bartfull? 

[Gemini]

I just use balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  It is my favorite and I never get sick of it. There are other salad dressing brands, like Annie;s, that are very good and many are gluten-free and listed as so on the bottle.  

[bartfull]

I don't have the bottles here so I'm not sure of the brands. But make sure the B12 is METHYL, not cyano. Methyl is the one most easily absorbed and is more active in the system. Just make sure whatever supplements you get are gluten-free.

[Pegleg84]

I still get the sleepies after lunch sometimes. Since your gut is still healing, all your energy is being diverted to digestion.

Digestive enzymes might also be helpful, to break down and absorb things better, since you're still healing. Also, more veggies than carbs is usually better, with some protein.

These pancakes sound tasty though.

[BelleVie]

I still get the sleepies after lunch sometimes. Since your gut is still healing, all your energy is being diverted to digestion.

Digestive enzymes might also be helpful, to break down and absorb things better, since you're still healing. Also, more veggies than carbs is usually better, with some protein.

These pancakes sound tasty though.

 

Pegleg84, I will post the recipe in the recipes section!