Why rice makes one feel sleepy and how to manage it
If we go by the statistics, rice is a food staple for more than 3.5 billion people around the world. This humble food often makes us feel lethargic and drowsy, and if you are having a hectic day at work, consuming rice for lunch is surely a bad idea. But, the question is, why does it happen, and is there any way to manage it?
Nutritionist Pooja Makhija recently highlighted the issue in an Instagram reel post, where she described the science behind it and also suggested a few smart ways to manage it. “Avoid the mid-day slump with these basic hacks. Understanding theory always helps in long term application of ‘lifestyle’ inducing habits thus my theory explanation video,” she captioned the video.
What actually happens?
Rice is rich in carbohydrates, and according to Pooja, whenever you eat carbs, they are converted into glucose, and glucose requires insulin. She further adds, “Once the insulin surge increases, it prompts the brain for the essential fatty acids of tryptophan to enter, that causes melatonin and serotonin to increase, which are the calming hormones that cause the drowsiness.”
Is it a normal phenomenon?
Yes, according to experts, feeling drowsy after eating rice is normal. Pooja mentions, “It’s a normal nervous response so that the body calms down and focuses on the process of digestion.”
How to control it?
Make sure that the quantity of your meal is not very large. Expert feel that portion control is the easiest way to avoid drowsiness in the daytime. Pooja mentions, “Larger the meal, larger the effort, and it will result in fatigue and drowsiness.” She advises, “Your mid-day meal should have 50 % vegetables, 25 % protein, and 25 % carbs.”
Also, while practicing portion control, you can eat two rotis, and ½ bowl of rice. Some experts also suggest switching to brown rice instead of white as it releases energy slowly and doesn’t make you feel too drowsy. Here are a few rice recipes that you can try at home.
Veggies Fried Rice Recipe
Cooked Rice, ¼ cup
Oil, 2 tbsp
French Beans, ½ cup
Carrot, ½ cup
Green Peas, ¼ cup
Onion, 1 no.
Corn, ¼ cup
Garlic, 3-5 cloves
Green Chilli, 1 no
Mixed Bell Pepper, 1 cup
Salt to taste
Black Pepper, 1 tsp
Soy Sauce, 1 tbsp
Vinegar, 2 tbsp
Dry Mixed Herbs, 1 tbsp
Method
Take a wok; add oil, green chilli and garlic. Allow it to splutter. Now add onion, beans, capsicum, carrot, and corn. Cook them till they are 70 per cent cooked. Now add salt, soy sauce, black pepper, mixed herbs, and vinegar. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes. Now add cooked rice and mix well and cook for another minute. Serve hot.
Read more click: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/how-to-make-mexican-southwest-and-thai-rice-pot/photostory/85297049.cms
