Foods to avoid when you’re tired (because they make you even more tired)

There fatigue has no season. It can occur at any time of the year and for various reasons: psychological, physical… In any case, we always want fight it fast to feel better again. We don’t always know but there are some foods to avoid because they tire the body even more instead of boost. List and details with Dr. Corinne Chicheportiche-Ayache, doctor-nutritionist.

Avoid foods with a high glycemic index

Eating a sweet food is not a good idea to get a boost. The foods whoseglycemic index (GI) is high are, for example, to be banned : “It’s here first rule to follow when you are tired, explained the doctor, because their consumption leads to a sudden hypersecretion of insulin (pancreas hormone involved in regulating blood sugar levels). The intake of these sugary foods will initially boost but the hypersecretion of insulin will subsequently lead to a drop in blood sugar in the blood (hypoglycemia) who go give real pumping.” In concrete terms, the following foods are banned, “of the false friends to have energy” :

• the biscuits,
• treats,
• ice creams,
• chocolate bars,
• jam,
• soda
• overcooked pasta (“noodles”)
• sushi vinegar rice,
• breakfast cereals,
• white bread like sandwich bread,
• potato puree,
• dates
• sweetened condensed milk

“Prefer whole foods, pulses, most fresh fruits and non-enriched dairy products known for their low glycemic index” recommends our interlocutor instead.

Avoid fatty foods that are too heavy to digest

Taken for comfort, desire or lack of time, heavy foods to digest are not recommended when you are tired “because the digestion time is longer gold digestion consumes a lot of energy” recalls Dr. Chicheportiche-Ayache. Same thing for the too much meal : “While the nutritional composition may be correct, too large portions make digestion or night that follows particularly difficult and so fatigue-generating !” This avoids:

• fried foods: french fries, chips, donuts, churros…
• breaded foods: breaded fish, breaded cutlets, cordon bleu…
• foods that are too fatty: pastries…
• THE dishes in sauce (more so if it is industrial dishes)

We avoid foods rich in gluten (if we are sensitive to it)

Gluten is a component of many foods. This protein set is present in cereals such as wheat, oats or barley. Some people are particularly sensitive to it and will suffer from digestive problems if they consume gluten. “Excess gluten in sensitive patients can lead to real headaches for the organism, adds the doctor-nutritionist. Patients with the celiac disease (chronic bowel disease, editor’s note) should not consume it at all !” Among the foods that contain gluten (therefore to avoid in case of fatigue):

• wheat pasta,
• bakery products: bread, sandwich loaves, biscuits, pastries, buns, pancakes, waffles, muffinsdonuts…
• breakfast cereals,
• malted beers,
• prepared meals: pizza, quiche
• sauces, soups and desserts that contain wheat flour

Avoid empty calorie foods

You didn’t know those? Foods with “empty calories” are calorie foods low in nutrients and in particular in minerals and vitamins, useful in case of fatigue. “These foods are of no nutritional interest” confirms our interlocutor who quotes as “typical example: confectionery. They bring lots of sugar and very few nutrients of good quality”. One can also cite the ultra-processed foods among those to avoid when you are tired (but also in general). For example: sodas, instant noodles, dehydrated vegetable soups, breads and industrial buns…

Thanks to Dr Corinne Chicheportiche-Ayache, doctor-nutritionist.