17 Foods That Are Secretly Leaving You Exhausted

I am sick and tired of being tired. Is anybody else on the same struggle bus? I can’t be the only one. I’ve tried everything from energy bars, the obvious coffee, wheatgrass shots, to even a headstand when I wake up. Nothing works, and there are few things worse than feeling sluggish all day long — especially when you’ve been putting in the effort (getting 8+ hours of sleep and a daily dose of caffeine, that is).

And before anyone suggests, “Take a nap!” let’s be real here. When does anyone have time to take a nap?  I have very important things to do. Like work, my pilates class after work, then my nail appointment after my pilates class. A nap doesn’t fit anywhere in my schedule thankyouverymuch, and I very much doubt naps will never not be a social faux pas in the office.

If you, too, are exhausted all the time, listen up. It may be the food you’re eating that’s the culprit. We all want more energy, but we may have to sacrifice and change our diets to actually attain it. But here’s the thing: Food is meant to give your body energy. If it’s depleting your body of energy, then something in your diet needs to be tweaked. Not sure what food it is that might be draining you? Here’s a list of surprising foods that are secretly making us exhausted.

1. Bananas

In high school, Grandma always added bananas to my breakfast, and it’s no wonder I fell asleep in my first class every day. Grandam’s intentions were good: Bananas are a great source of potassium. But, they are also high in magnesium, which is a sleeping aid for the body. Try eating a banana before going to bed.

2. Salmon

Salmon is high in vitamin B6, and this helps your body create melatonin, a hormone produced by our glands to aid sleep.

3. Sweet potato

Sweet potato toast has been my morning staple for almost a year now. But, after learning that sweet potatoes are high in magnesium, which relaxes the body and causes sleepiness, I decided to have it as my after-dinner snack. (Pro-tip: Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon for a treat that feels more like dessert than breakfast/lunch.)

4. Beef burgers (with cheese)

The next time you get anxious to order that Double-Double with cheese from In-N-Out, think long and hard before you make a final decision. The dairy and saturated fats in a burger will require double the energy to digest and leave you tired.

5. Pepperoni pizza

Usually, a box of pizza means it’s going to be a chill night (Netflix + Chill + Pizza = YAS). However, there are nights many of us reach for a big slice to keep us going when we’ve had too many drinks, or if we have a deadline we need to meet and need an easy bite. This is a bad choice since dairy requires more energy to digest. The pepperoni topping will also exhaust you even more because the meat has a high-fat level and complicates digestion.

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6. Cherries

Fun fact: Cherries are one of the best, natural sources to get melatonin. Next time you crave a slice of cherry pie, save it for a midnight snack.

7. Pasta

Of course, a big bowl of pasta topped with fresh parmesan and a glass of wine on the side will leave you ready for a nap. But did you know that even if you try to cheat the system and eat half of that bowl you can still find yourself wanting to take a snooze? Pasta is a refined carbohydrate that spikes blood sugar levels and will have your body feeling weaker.

8. Lettuce

This is a shocker, I know. But according to Huffington Post, lettuce has lactucin in it that acts as a sedative to the brain. So, maybe it wasn’t your date who bored you and made you yawn all night — it was that side salad you had before your meal.

9. Oatmeal

Yet another breakfast meal that is not exactly what an energized morning needs. Oats are known to set off the production of insulin, which leaves you sleepy. Also, oats contain melatonin.

10. Potato chips

Whether they’re sweet, salty or spicy, I love potato chips. The refined carbs and saturated fats in potato chips is what makes people tired, so I’ll have to find a new snack. Wahh!

11. Dark chocolate

Serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter and aids relaxation, is found in dark chocolate. Therefore, dark chocolate may not be the best choice during the day. Instead, save it for your nightcap.

12. Fruit smoothies

Don’t panic. It all depends on your smoothie mix. If the smoothie is made up out of a mix of fruit that contain a high level of sugar, be prepared for a wave of laziness following your last sip. Don’t trust every smoothie shop; ask for the sugar count.

13. Fat free, flavored yogurt

A serving of yogurt could put you out like a light. According to Men’s Health Magazine, there’s an average of 35 grams of sugar in a 6-ounce container of fat free yogurt. This high amount of sugar will result in a crash.

14. Veggie chips

This snack is very trendy at the moment. Probably because it’s seen as a good alternative to potato chips. However, many brands of veggie chips contain processed ingredients and refined carbohydrates that will have you feeling sleepy if you eat a large amount.

15. Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese contains a high amount of tryptophan, an amino acid that makes you tired or relaxed. Amino acid levels are high in all dairy products, so beware.

16. White bread

White bread and energy have a toxic relationship. White bread is processed and that will raise your blood sugar levels, giving you an energy rush quickly followed by a crash. Not a good choice when you need to stay up and alert the entire day.

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17. Nuts

Nuts are a great mid-day snack, but only if you have self-control with your servings. Nuts are high in fat and can cause your digestive system to slow down.