YANAD (or maybe yes), YA definitely NMD, but my google-fu is weak.
Maybe I’m imagining things, but it seems to me like eating carbs leads to me being sleepy; the simpler the carbs, the worse the low. So, like the opposite of a little kid. Whole-grain pasta or bread affects me little to nothing, a white bread sandwich or normal pasta make me sleepy, a bowl of blackberries is a straight ticket to a meeting with my pillow. It’s kind of a bother, as I’m trying to eat more veggies and fruits but I can’t do it if it’s going to knock me out (or at least, not unless I can afford a nap).
Is this normal? Is it something I should talk with my doctor about? Am I just inventing correlations?
I was having similar things happen a while back; eating anything even slightly sweet, carb-laden or having even a small amount of alcohol made me sleepy. Finally had the doc check me out, only to discover that I’m type 2 diabetic.
I have none of the established risk factors (not obese, little-to-no family history, etc.), but was on Prednisone for a lung problem for almost a year and it caused the diabetes.
I believe it’s normal to some degree (here’s one cite), but it could also be a symptom of diabetes or something similar. I’ve also heard that eating protein with the carbs helps to regulate it and avoid the crash, and that some substances, such as cinnamon can help with blood-sugar regulation. But I am definitely not an expert. (But I’ve learned from personal experience that sugary, low-fiber cereals are not a good way to start an energetic day.)
Definitely ask your doctor to check you for diabetes. If I make the double mistake of forgetting my meds and eating too many carbs, it can be near impossible for me to stay awake.
Yeah, the effect of giving candy to the kids right before bed is purely psychological (if I’m awake I get candy, if I’m asleep I don’t… I’ll stay awake!), but it works well as an image. Sorry.
Just to add another tiny data point: I too have found this, though it probably took a year to recognize the pattern. FWIW, my HbA1C is around 6.5 (“pre-diabetic”, according to my MD).
I’ve also noticed that sweets before bed correlates to a half-hour of restless-leg syndrome in me, about 75% of the time.
I find that if I eat a lot of sweets (I mean real sweets - you know, those horrid sugar-coated strips of candy kind of thing :)) I get the most crippling low afterwards and usually end up having to take a nap. I don’t tend to get it for any other more complex carbs though. I guess it has something to do with the energy from simple carbs getting burned away quickly?
If your blood sugar goes up too high, you get drowsy. You might also notice that you are more thirsty than usual. These symptoms indicate diabetes. I am a type II diabetic.
I never get tired after eating anything sweets, carbs or otherwise, but I do get so exhausted I can barely function when I’m really hungry before dinner.