Craving a siesta after breakfast, lunch or dinner could be a sign that you just had an amazing meal, but your body might be telling you something else. Getting sleepy after devouring a delicious plate is a reaction to your body working overtime to process unhealthy fats. The food culprits making you sleeply may be more surprising than you think…
Read more ¿Qué más?: Baked shrimp empanadas the whole family will love
Here are seven Latin foods that could be making you tired.
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Empanadas
It seems like almost every Latin American and Caribbean country has a delicious version of these crispy snacks. Whether they are stuffed with meat or veggies, fried empanadas are rich in fat and loaded with calories. Because of the rich filling, empanadas are a major culprit in bringing on the sluggishness. Try opting for a baked empanada recipe, which is less greasy and won’t weigh you down as much.
Coffee
Thought café was helping you stay awake? You could be wrong. R.D. Dawn Napoli explains, “[Caffeinated drinks] give you a quick burst of alertness for maybe an hour or an hour and a half but eventually you crash and burn when the caffeine wears off,” she says. Try limiting your intake to 200 to 300 milligrams [of caffeine] or a cup to a cup and a half per day.
Fried plantains
We never get tired of eating fried plantains, but it may be the crispy side that helps to put you in a food coma by the end of a meal. High in fat and carbs, you should avoid overloading on these on a regular basis. Just one fried plantain contains about four grams of fat so limit your intake or stick to baked or boiled options.
Red meat
Sorry meat lovers! Since this protein is high in fat, it could end up making you sleepy at the end of your meal. If you are looking to boost your energy, try sticking to fish, such as salmon, which is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Tacos
Everyone has a soft spot for tacos, but don’t be fooled by the shell texture. Even soft tortilla tacos are sometimes fried and cooked with heavy oil or manteca. Try going for a tortilla that isn’t fried and add more fresh toppings than meat. You want to especially be wary of carnitas, which are often cooked in lard.
Rice
Rice falls into the category of “high glycemic index” foods, which can end up making you very tired once you are done with your plate. That’s because the ingredient adds glucose into your bloodstream immediately after you eat it. Brown rice has the same amount of glycemic load, but more nutritional value per serving than white rice.
Dulces
No matter the type of dessert, the sugary treat releases a high amount of insulin into the body, which eventually makes your energy crash. Try indulging on a fresh fruit salad or yogurt instead.
