What should you do when you get sleepy in the afternoon? Besides trying to push through, certain foods can also help you fight fatigue. Dr. Taro Ikuta, a Japanese life science writer, reveals in his book "The Brain-Power Diet": whenever he is too tired to speak in the afternoon, dishes like pickled garlic (garlic pickled in vinegar) and sautéed onions are the best pick-me-up foods. The reason is that allyl sulfide in onions and garlic helps the body absorb Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is a coenzyme necessary for carbohydrate metabolism, which can enhance the oxidative function of carbohydrates and inject energy into your tired mind and body.
In addition to choosing the right dishes, eating less starchy food at lunch can also help alleviate drowsiness. Consuming too many starchy foods like white rice or steamed buns can cause blood sugar levels to spike quickly, prompting the body to release large amounts of insulin, which can easily lead to feelings of fatigue. You can eat more vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins, which helps break down the remaining sugars from breakfast and generate energy.