Cutting Calories Without Feeling Drowsy
If you have recently started a new weight loss regimen, then you may understand that calorie reduction is the key to successful weight loss. Slow weight loss is wise. If you are a woman, then you should consume about 1500 calories a day to lose about a pound a week. If you are a man, then you should consume about 2,000 calories a day. Once you reduce your calorie intake, you may start to feel a bit drowsy. After all, the body burns calories to create energy. If you want to reduce this tired feeling, then keep reading to understand why eating multiple meals a day can help you.
Food And Blood Sugar Levels
If you are serious about weight loss, then you may decide to eat three meals a day that provide your body with about 500 calories. While this may seem like a smart plan, this can cause your blood sugar to rise and fall throughout the day. When you eat, your food is broken down into glucose. Glucose is directly used by the body to create energy. Specifically, the sugar helps the body form adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule that transfers energy from one cell to another so that important functions can be carried out.
If there is not enough sugar moving through the bloodstream to create ATP, then the metabolism slows down to preserve energy. You will then feel drowsy. You are likely to feel this drowsiness a few hours after you eat a large meal.
Scheduling Meals To Retain Blood Sugar Levels
The feeling of drowsiness a few hours after you eat is a sign that your blood sugar levels are dropping. To keep this from happening, it is wise to eat a snack or another small meal before you start feeling drowsy. Start by changing your eating plan to include three meals and two snacks. One snack should be scheduled between breakfast and lunch and the other should be arranged between lunch and dinner.
Plan for each meal to provide you with about 400 calories. This will allow for two 150 calorie snacks. Since each snack is meant to boost blood sugar levels, make sure to include a carbohydrate. A protein will also help to provide longer lasting energy. For example, a thin layer of peanut butter spread on whole wheat crackers is a good snack. Foods that contain both protein and carbohydrates like eggs, sweet potatoes, almonds, and quinoa are good snacks as well. For more information, contact a business such as Mid West Fat Loss.