Chinese food is a beloved cuisine that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. From savoury dumplings and stir-fried noodles to crispy Peking duck and hot and sour soup, the flavours and textures of Chinese cuisine are as diverse as they are delicious.
However, some people have reported feeling tired or sleepy after a Chinese feast. This has led to the question: Does Chinese food make you sleepy?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the science behind this phenomenon and whether there is any truth to this common belief.
Why Chinese Food Makes You Sleepy?
This is because the body processes high-fat foods more slowly than low-fat foods, so it takes longer to digest them. The result of this slower digestion process is that your blood sugar levels will take longer to rise and fall, which means you’ll stay in your comfort zone for hours after eating.
So, the reason for this is that high-fat foods are more difficult to digest than low-fat foods and take longer to be broken down in your body.
This means you’ll stay feeling full a lot longer after eating them, leaving you feeling sleepy as it becomes later into the evening hours.
Does Chinese food affect sleep?
Chinese food can affect sleep because it is filling, high calorie, and rich in proteins. Therefore, eating these foods at night may make you feel sleepy for hours after your meal.
Many Chinese dishes will keep you fuller longer, such as egg rolls, rice noodles, dumplings, or shrimp chow Mein, containing complex carbohydrates like white rice (and vegetables) to give you energy levels later into the evening time.
The other options on this list are also great because they’re low fat and don’t have very many calories, so they’ll keep you feeling full without making those late-night cravings worse!
Suppose someone has trouble sleeping due to being hungry at bedtime. In that case, one option could be watermelon with lime wedges or the roasted cashews, almonds, or pistachios (which contain protein and fiber).
What is Chinese food?
The term “Chinese food” describes various cuisines from various regions in China. These regions include the northern plains, southern coasts, northern mountains, and the eastern coast East China Sea.
Chinese food is also influenced by cuisines from other countries, such as Japan (since it was conquered in the 15th century) and the United States (it has been popular in the US since the beginning of the 20th century).
Factors that may contribute to feeling sleepy after eating Chinese food:
An example is the high carbohydrate and sodium content in Chinese cuisine. These two ingredients are associated with bloating and bowel problems that can result in sleepiness.
Food additives that enhance flavour may also contribute to feeling tired after a meal, especially those food additives with caffeine, such as coffee. For example, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most common food additives used in Chinese cuisine, and it can cause symptoms of tiredness and drowsiness.
The MSG myth: does Chinese food contain MSG?
MSG, commonly used as a flavour enhancer in Chinese cuisine, has been linked to several side effects, including headaches, migraines, and dizziness. Some people have also reported experiencing tiredness after eating food that contains MSG.
This claim has not been scientifically proven; however, many studies have examined the effects of MSG on the human body. One such study reported that omitting artificial flavours in food resulted in a significant decrease in appetite.
Tips for avoiding sleepiness after eating Chinese food:
- Eat your Chinese food right away. Wait at least 30 minutes after you finish eating before going to bed.
- Eat food rich in fibre and lean protein to prevent feeling sleepy after a meal.
- Eating foods high in fiber and lean protein can help improve digestion and reduce bloating and bowel problems, thus preventing the feeling of sleepy during post-meal hours.
- If you still feel sleepy after eating Chinese food, see a doctor to rule out underlying health conditions that could cause your sleepiness.
- If you have a family history of sleepiness or sleep apnea, you might be predisposed to feeling sleepy after eating Chinese food.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet that includes all food groups, including fruits and vegetables, to ensure you stay healthy and energetic.
Sleepy after eating Chinese food?
Chinese food can affect sleep because it is filling, high calorie, and rich in proteins. Sleepiness after eating Chinese food may be due to the amount of tryptophan found in these foods, similar to those found in raw fish, but they’re packed with vitamins as well, so it’s worth giving them a try if you want something filling but nutritious.
Sleepiness after eating Chinese food could also be due to the sodium content that can cause bloating, which then leads to tiredness for hours afterward.
Salt is one of those ingredients that people should try and avoid as much as possible, so it’s best not to have any fried or salted foods before bedtime – this includes soy sauce.
Does MSG in Chinese food make you sleepy?
One of the first things that people will say about MSG is that it makes them sleepy. Does this mean they’re allergic, or should we all be worried? There are a few different theories on why Chinese food might make you feel tired, and let’s explore them one by one.
The most common theory is that MSG can cause sleepiness through drowsiness due to its effects on hormones in our brains like serotonin, which regulates many functions such as moods and appetite.
This effect could happen even when you don’t eat much of the food containing MSG – so if you have a small bowl and your brain starts feeling slow after eating it, there may be something else at play here too!
Does anything make me sleepy after I eat?
There’s nothing that makes people automatically fall asleep after eating. Still, there is something called “dinner fatigue,” where your body may slow down its metabolism in preparation for sleep by up-regulating certain neurotransmitters like serotonin.
This does not mean that everyone will feel sleepy after eating. Sleepiness can also be caused by not having had enough sleep the night before and feeling very tired throughout the day – this is because one of your body’s natural ways to promote energy is through food-induced serotonin (which could lead to drowsiness).
Conclusion:
We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and we will do our best to answer them for you. Thanks!
Chinese food is delicious. Does it make you sleepy?
A study finds that Chinese food has a higher level of tryptophan – an amino acid that helps produce serotonin. The neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for mood regulation and sleepiness in humans – than other foods. This may be why people who eat much Western-style fast food are more likely to feel tired after eating their meal than those who primarily consume traditional Asian cuisines such as noodles or rice dishes.
Does fried rice make you sleepy?
Fried rice is one of the best Chinese dishes to order at a restaurant because it’s high in protein and complex carbohydrates. The downside, however, could be that it may make you feel sleepy for hours afterward – especially if someone has trouble sleeping due to being hungry after bedtime. Some great options for those looking for low-calorie foods with lots of protein but also want something sweet before bed would include watermelon slices paired with mint leaves or lime wedges and bananas topped with hazelnut spread (or another flavor). Grapefruits can also be an option too, depending on what type they serve!
How Do Different Types Of Chinese Food Affect Your Sleepiness?
Different types of Chinese food contain different amounts of carbohydrates, sodium, and fat. Rice and noodle-based dishes are the best bets for avoiding feeling sleepy after eating Chinese food. In rice-based dishes, up to 30% of calories can come from carbohydrates, with the average meal containing less than 100 calories per serving. In noodle-based dishes, up to 70% of calories can come from carbohydrates, which tend to be higher in sodium.
What Is The Optimum Amount Of Chinese Food To Eat To Feel Sleepy?
The amount of Chinese food you eat will directly affect how sleepy you feel. The more food you eat, the fuller you’ll feel before bedtime. The best way to prevent feeling sleepy after eating Chinese food is to avoid overeating at dinner. Eating a moderate portion of your favourite dish will allow you to stay full and satisfied until bedtime.
What Happens If I Don’t Sleep After Eating Chinese Food?
If you don’t sleep immediately after eating, your body can burn calories for about three hours. However, once these calories are burned, your body will store the extra fat until it can be converted into energy again.
What Should I Do If I Feel Sleepy After Chinese Food?
If you feel sleepy after eating Chinese food, try changing when you eat dinner. Avoid eating at night, especially after a high-energy activity. If you still feel sleepy in the morning after eating Chinese food, try sleeping earlier and getting adequate sleep. If you wake up feeling drowsy during the day, pull over in a safe place and take a short nap for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid taking long naps since they can make it difficult to fall asleep at night.
