Anyone Feel Extremely Tired after Eating Pizza?

Question on 22/10/2017 - 13:44
Last edited 22/10/2017 - 15:31 by 1 other user

I've noticed that in the last few months, every time i eat pizza, i will feel really tired and sleepy afterwards. Lasts for 4-5 hours usually. It really sucks when I get a nice dominos deal on ozbargain but eating the pizza makes me useless for the next 4-5 hours.

I'm not eating that much either…3-4 slices for one meal. I never had this problem with eating pizza before.

I googled it and there seems to be a lot of people who experience the same thing, but no definate answers (just a bunch of people posting "maybe x or y" answers).

Anyone might know something about this?

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • airal3rt on 22/10/2017 - 13:48
    +10

    Could be completely benign, as some people find high carbohydrate meals to be lethargy-inducing, or it could be an early sign of insulin resistance. Talk to a doctor if you're concerned.

    • Question on 22/10/2017 - 14:46

      Yea i was thinking it -might- be diabetes so would be worth doing a blood test…read a bit on it but im still confused because the articles just say type 2 diabetes is due to "lifestyle changes" and i dont get how your lifestyle can suddenly cause your insulin to not work…

      I will look into it more later, gotta do other stuff for now.

      Edit : Im not getting most of the symptons though, only fatigue (which is very general).

      • Slippery Fish on 22/10/2017 - 15:14
        +4

        Diabetes was best explained by a nurse I know, (she comes in for salad sandwiches 3 days a week) it's like a small aircon in a large room not able to keep up, and after years running at max it breaks down alot earlier than usual.

        It's a gradual thing.

      • jacross on 23/10/2017 - 08:48
        +1

        Wikipedia can help explain the physiology of type 2 diabetes for you.

      • sajidmib on 24/10/2017 - 13:20

        I get constipated

  • TimeWaster on 22/10/2017 - 13:57
    +6

    Maybe a more carbohydrate-rich recipe? When you eat something that takes a long time to break down and digest, your body will preferentially direct blood flow to your stomach and intestines to get all of these nutrients into your body, so that will basically put the rest of your body (including your brain) in something of a low-power mode while your body digests. This is actually one of the hypotheses for how "stitches" occurs. But if it's really that much of a bother, I'd recommend just spacing your meal out (15 minutes or so between slices) and the food coma shouldn't hit you as hard.

    And don't stress, this is definitely something that affects a lot of people - just google up "food coma" and you'll find some more info :)

      • TimeWaster on 22/10/2017 - 16:25
        +11

        Hey mate, firstly I'd like to say that I'm a big fan of your work here on the forum, but I disagree with your comments.

        Regarding the time to digest, I don't just mean how long it sits in your stomach, I just mean how readily a carbohydrate is hydrolysed, but at the same time how long it takes to store all of that energy in a way so as to not increase your blood sugar to become hyperglycaemic.
        And what I was referring to in the second statement is just a parasympathetic response - which is a very real thing (commonly referred to as "rest and digest"). But this is all getting a bit off topic.

        But to the OP: I'd just need a little more information to get something more precise, such as,
        * Age
        * Recent changes in diet/exercise
        * Family history of disease

        Some quick things that it could be are:
        * Diabetes (maybe gestational diabetes if pregnant)
        * Hormonal changes (especially from menopause)
        * Allergies
        * Anaemia
        * Any thyroid problems
        * Chronic fatigue (e.g. how's your sleep been recently and don't rule out any mental issues)

        But in any case, seeing a doctor is likely free and would probably be more helpful. I hope this helps you somewhat :)

  • outlander on 22/10/2017 - 13:58

    Yes, I do, but I get that with all sorts of food. Can only guess why, but thats one reason I like to lie down for a nap after I eat

    • Question on 22/10/2017 - 14:41

      Im not talking about the usual post lunch lethargic feeling…this one is like a massive fatigue hit. Pretty much walking zombie tier.

      • outlander on 22/10/2017 - 16:05
        +1

        Might have to be a little more specific, cause I feel like that a lot of the time. When it comes to large, fatty meals, sometimes I'll take a shot of apple cider vinigar to boost stomache acid levels. You can also buy HCL in pill form for this purpose

        • Cave Fire on 22/10/2017 - 20:01

          Having a similar problem and completely forgot about acv… lol.

      • wozz on 23/10/2017 - 08:57

        I figured must be something to do with big hit of carbs/fats -
        I used to get this when I was eating maccas every day for lunch (not long after I moved out of home, was so fun at the time)
        Not straight away, but seemed after a few weeks of it everytime I finished I felt like sleeping.. I'd be getting a large meal plus an extra burger

        Do you know if you get this feeling with all fatty foods or just pizza?

  • chumlee on 22/10/2017 - 14:09

    Maybe make your own pizza that has some nutritional value

    • Question on 22/10/2017 - 14:42
      -1

      Vauge statements like these always puzzle me. A pizza will have a certain of meat on it, which means protein…unless you are saying that protein doest "count"?

      Exactly what nutritional value is lacking and how do you know this?

      • Slippery Fish on 22/10/2017 - 15:11

        Look up the yoghurt dough recipe, no waiting for it to rise ect, that said imo Italian bread dough makes the best pizza, fluffy crunchy 15 inch goodness. (Local eagle boys through out 30 15 inch pizza pans, so in ozb spirit I took em soaked in hot water then high pressure washed the crap off and now have like 8 left..

        Scrubbed 2 back to New look and gave 1 with pizza making bits to my brother and sister lol. Total prezzie cost $10ea but looked so good.

        • Speckled Jim on 23/10/2017 - 17:00

          Try a scone base — really nice if you bake it right.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/10/2017 - 12:44
        +3

        It's Domino's pizza. It's fast food. Junk food :/
        Get Pizza hit from a good pizza place, or make your own which can be good.

    • jacross on 23/10/2017 - 09:01
      -1

      Pizza rarely lacks nutritional value. For most people there is entirely too much macronutrient value to be justified.

  • Stewardo on 22/10/2017 - 14:10

    I knew a long distance bus driver years ago, he wouldn’t eat any carbs or sugar drinks when he was working, because of the tiredness. Seems pretty Normal, but would be an idea to mention that to GP for a blood test.

  • Baebs on 22/10/2017 - 14:11
    +4

    I was wondering the same thing a few months ago and found this:

    "When we feel overly tired after eating, it can be related to eating processed foods that contain high levels of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eating these types of foods causes a rise in blood sugar levels, followed by a drop, which results in low energy levels" - Quora.

    Just avoid eating processed foods and lean towards low GI foods.

    You could also be suffering from hyperglycaemia, won't hurt to see your doctor just to be sure.

    • Question on 22/10/2017 - 14:38

      How do you check if a dominos pizza has high levels of sugar/refined carbohydrates though?

      Took a quick look at Hyperglycemia symptons. Im not getting any of the other symptons, just fatigue for now.

  • tajid on 22/10/2017 - 14:14

    Don't care, pizza is heaven.

    • ThadtheChad on 23/10/2017 - 10:47
      -1

      Don't care, real pizza is heaven.

      FTFY

  • John Kimble on 22/10/2017 - 14:28

    Doesn't really make sense if it is just pizza. What about pasta?

    https://www.coeliac.org.au/symptoms/

    • Question on 22/10/2017 - 14:40

      I dont eat pasta, never had bad reactions to it but I dont like pasta in general.

      I can eat bread just fine so im pretty sure its not coeliac.

      Just seems to be pizza at the moment. The fatigue hit from eating just 3-4 slices is massive…ive eaten large meals of other stuff and while i do feel really full/lethargic after, the fatigue cant compare to what i get from eating pizza.

      • Slippery Fish on 22/10/2017 - 15:06
        +1

        Store bought (dominos ect) can be very high in oil, if you normally don't eat lots of oil and fat that'll do it.

      • imcold on 23/10/2017 - 23:52

        I believe the cause is a combination of things. Both extended periods of mentally exhausting tasks before a large carbo rich meal.

        If you have a job that requires you to think a lot, I can find you can minimise the drowesiness effect on a typical work day by simply not doing anything like reading before work (or other mentally stimulating tasks.) This means your brain is not strained starting with your commute

        Of course there is always coffee(dairy free)

  • stralya on 22/10/2017 - 15:04
    +1

    Could be the salt levels in the pizza. Salt dehydrates, which then leads to you feeling tired.

  • Donaldhump on 22/10/2017 - 15:27
    +2

    Try carb free sugar free diet. You will feel great

    • Aneurism on 23/10/2017 - 18:54
      +3

      Also avoid ozbargain as you won't see pizza coupons that will tempt you such as bogof week.

    • belongsinforums on 23/10/2017 - 22:47

      E D G Y

  • bobbified on 22/10/2017 - 16:58
    +1

    I have a similar thing with heavy foods at lunch time. I start falling asleep at my desk by about 2pm.

    I've just put it down to my body using up lots of energy to try break down all the crap that I just shoved in my mouth.

    • Donaldhump on 22/10/2017 - 18:44
      +1

      my boss knows I'm a write off between 2-4

  • myusername on 22/10/2017 - 17:38

    where are you getting the pizzas from?

    probably cause some of the ingredients are processed.

    i've been in a factory that produces the shaved ham on pizzas, long story short after that visit 10 years ago i've never eaten those products again lol

    • Cave Fire on 22/10/2017 - 20:16

      Had a high school science teacher with a phd in Parasitology. Advised to properly cook all ham products and don't eat raw/red as he used to work in the abbatoirs doing quality control. Said the standard was pretty bad ten years ago, hopefully this has improved since then.

    • Question on 23/10/2017 - 00:02

      Dominos pizza

      • myusername on 23/10/2017 - 08:06

        say no more the factory i went to supplied the meat to dominos

        • boomramada on 23/10/2017 - 09:42

          Seriously? so other pizza places using fresh cut directly from the butcher?;)

        • myusername on 23/10/2017 - 10:49

          @boomramada: not sure to be honest, just passing on what i was told in the factory that day

  • steven6 on 22/10/2017 - 19:25
    +7

    In order to give you a definitive answer I will need you to supply me a sample slice of pizza to eat examine it scientifically. Purely for scientific research.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 19:49

    Sounds like you have a bad case of satisfaction.

  • Cave Fire on 22/10/2017 - 20:13
    +1

    general advice This is probably something a doctor can pick up more about. Had this myself and it gets so annoying, like passing out on the bus 50min after eating weetbix with milk +milo. Went through a bout of lactose intolerance recently and cutting down dairy helped a lot. It seems like if your digestion/metabolism is working properly it can handle a lot. Could also be something specific like gluten, mycotoxins, allergies, list goes on.

  • Dont Care on 22/10/2017 - 20:26
    -4

    pizzas have 8000-10000 calories. way way above recommended daily intake

    • bobbified on 22/10/2017 - 20:54
      +1

      pizzas have 8000-10000 calories

      Dominos Pizza averages about 5000kJ each, according to their website, depending on which one you choose.. which is a bit more than half the daily recommended intake of about 8700kJ.

      (1 calorie = approx 4kJ)

    • jacross on 23/10/2017 - 09:03
      +2

      No they don't. Not even close.

    • psylence on 24/10/2017 - 09:02
      +2

      Lol what pizzas are you eating? 10,000 calories would be over 8 dominos pizzas

      • Dont Care on 24/10/2017 - 21:06

        a pizza for ants maybe.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2017 - 17:53

        Maybe the meat pie pizza.

  • afoveht on 22/10/2017 - 21:38

    One factor may be the casomorphin in cheese made of cow's milk.

    Lactational fluids are complex and contain a lot more than nutrients. Their being well formulated for settling infants may provide evolutionary advantage. Adults drinking infants' milk, even across species, may experience similar (if not diminished) effects.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 23:11
    +1

    I get this severely after eating oats for breakfast. I can't do it anymore. Puts me right to sleep.

  • hedonistic on 23/10/2017 - 00:54

    Sounds like a pretty hard insulin spike. Talk to your doctor about diabetes and getting your bloods checked. Not trying to be alarmist, it's probably nothing, but better safe than sorry

  • Tamtim on 23/10/2017 - 03:00

    I usually feel super tired, sleepy and bloated after I eat gluten. I was going to suggest gluten intolerance in your case, but since you're fine with bread, it might be something else. I think it's best to see a doctor, get some blood tests, maybe some allergy tests too to be certain. Did anything change or happen to you recently? I developed irritable bowel syndrome after a really bad stomach infection 15 years ago. Since then I've been gluten and lactose intolerant

  • voiletmay on 23/10/2017 - 07:21

    Carbs do that to me and have done it for years. I just avoid those sort of foods. Eat more protein and fruit and veggies and you will be right.

  • AlienC on 23/10/2017 - 08:09

    No idea why but this is practically me after a good solid meal.. healthy or unhealthy.. but if I eat something more spaced out or light (can be healthy or unhealthy) the effect seems to be diminished somewhat but definitely still there no matter what I eat. But I do like sleeping and savour the chance every time I can get it sooo

  • jacross on 23/10/2017 - 09:06

    This is called 'postprandial somnolence'. There are a number of physiological processes involved.

    • zwolf on 25/10/2017 - 17:58
      +1

      No, it's… the itis!

      • jacross on 26/10/2017 - 16:05
        +1

        Nice!

  • Candour on 23/10/2017 - 09:34

    ring backmores and see their naturopathic advice.
    I found when I stopped dairy I lost bloat.
    there are other potential intolerances.
    get tested by your doctor as a few of these are fads.

    ultimately I found that eating small vegan meals helped my condition and dairy aggravated it.
    wheat or excess cereals are also hard to digest.

    • airal3rt on 23/10/2017 - 22:25

      ring backmores and see their naturopathic advice.

      a few of these are fads.

      All naturopathy is a pseudoscientific scam, FYI.

  • Herbse on 23/10/2017 - 09:45
    +1

    Thin crust next time

  • CLoSeR on 23/10/2017 - 10:59
    +2

    Food coma, can happen with a large bowl or ramen, rice or pizza.

  • donnams on 23/10/2017 - 12:17
    -1

    Go to the doctor for a check up (including blood tests) & ask for your blood pressure to be checked.

    • dd22qq on 23/10/2017 - 19:22

      Also: MRI

  • tank17 on 23/10/2017 - 13:56

    Carbs tent to make you sleepy while digesting, so do sugars. Pizza is tricky dough. to me, a calssic thin italian slice pizza is definitely doable for a lunch without much fuzz after, specially if it is a slow rise 24-48 hours sour dough and bla bla (i am a big fun of pizza! lol) But if i touch a Pizza Hut or Dominos or such….that is it!

  • Shwayne on 23/10/2017 - 16:24

    You're overeating.

  • biltong2go on 23/10/2017 - 16:38
    +1

    I spoke to an Endocrinologist about this exact complaint.
    He recommended this test:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose_tolerance_test
    Basically, you have to stop eating before you go to bed,
    then you go in the morning to the clinician, who gives you some glucose to eat,
    and then you sit for 2 hours while they monitor your blood sugar.

  • Ozpit on 23/10/2017 - 18:02

    Yep, the GTT test will rule in or rule out diabetes, hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. I suffer from periodic bouts of hypoglycaemia (too much insulin in the blood, crashing the sugar level). It's a bitch.

  • jsediv on 23/10/2017 - 19:21

    Get thin and crispy. Those carbs are too much

  • field1985 on 23/10/2017 - 21:50
    +1

    I would recommend talking to your GP. Beyond that, this was my experience living on the dominos diet while at uni. $6 bought me dinner (6 slices) and lunch the next day (2 slices). I didn't really put on weight because even though is was unhealthy it wasn't all that much food for 24hrs.

    Anyway after about 6-8 months on top of the lethargy, I started to experience pains about 30-60mins after eating dominos each night. At first I thought it was indigestion. But after a month or so it hadn't got any better (bouts every 2-3 nights). So I saw the GP, who sent me for an ultrasound. That showed that my gall bladder was completely packed with gallstones.

    GROSS WARNING: The gall bladder stores bile, that comes from the liver. The bile in the gallbladder is then squeezed into your gut after a greasy meal to dissolve the fats. So every time I ate dominos, it was squeezing down on these sharp stones.

    In the end I had my gall bladder removed via keyhole surgery as a day procedure (no stay in hospital). Was off my feet for about a week. I've lost about 10 kilos.. I tend to avoid fatty foods these days. But I still get dominos once a week ;)

    • codinghelloworld on 22/01/2018 - 16:21

      Just got a gallbladder removal in Oct 2017, it such a relief after some constant pain.

      The pain can come up really quickly, so doctors call it gallstone attack or gallbladder attack. It suffer around 30 min to 1 hour. But it will extend longer whenever I ate a huge amount of fatty food

  • snajper on 24/10/2017 - 06:43

    It makes you tired for the following reasons

    High in sugar
    High in salt
    high in processed food
    High in oil

    Avoid junk food if you want to feel great….

  • Windows7forever on 24/10/2017 - 08:16

    I always feel like crap after eating Domino's pizza. It gives me stomach cramps when I go to sleep. Best to avoid.

  • donkeydoc on 24/10/2017 - 08:32

    It must be affecting your blood sugar levels. Each person is different with how their body reacts to foods. Some people after eating a packet of chips will show diabetic levels in their blood sugar, whilst others show minimal changes.

  • gimme on 24/10/2017 - 08:35

    Dominos pizza has so much shit in it, it can manifest in all sorts of ways. Short and long term. Best to avoid altogether. And yes do a bloodworks. I won't be surprised if you're lacking proper nutrition. Home made fresh pizzas ftw.

  • loropy9 on 24/10/2017 - 15:04

    It sounds like a moderate case of pizzasomnia. The treatment includes tomatoes, capsicums with parsley and olive oil.

  • JIMB0 on 24/10/2017 - 21:01
    +1

    I used to feel really tired after pizza as well. I solved it by only having 2 beers afterwards instead of 6.

  • zealmax on 24/10/2017 - 21:26

    I read somewhere that more blood goes to the stomach during digestion and causes feeling fatique.

  • 0031nek on 24/10/2017 - 22:03

    trust me, it's all about the MSG contents. the higher it is, the more sleepy you become. Try yumcha at any chinese restaurant. i bet you'll feel sleepy after their special fried rice as well. Cheers!

  • ozbjunkie on 24/10/2017 - 23:19
    +1

    Omg always happens to me after smashing 2 large pizzas. What's wrong with me?

    • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2017 - 18:02
      +2

      Balance is the key. Have some garlic bread before and Coke at half time.

      • ozbjunkie on 26/10/2017 - 15:24

        I'll try, but it'll be a damn shame if I can't finish those 2 pizzas…

  • AussieMark on 26/10/2017 - 18:19

    Have you tried the gluten free base?

    Just wondering if its an intolerance

    Also for me since pizza - I dont eat often, I think i tend to overeat when I eat pizza because I feel like I need to eat it all haha

  • vestigialsideband on 07/10/2018 - 20:39

    I landed here after googling exactly the same question. I am also feeling extreme tiredness only after eating dominoes pizza. I feel tiredness,sleepiness generally after having a heavy meal, but the tiredness I fell after having a dominoes pizza is completely different. I realized after I experienced same tiredness 3-4 times after having the pizza. From the discussion here it seems it is due to 3-4 reasons.

    High glucose in dominoes pizza

    High MSG in dominoes pizza

    were you able to zero down on the reason of the tiredness ?

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