Every day at around 3pm, something kind of strange happens to all of us. We just start to run out of steam, and we need a little treat or pick-me-up to get us back on track.
Scientists call it the postprandial dip, or afternoon apathy syndrome.
But what causes the mid-afternoon slump? And what’s the best way to get beat it? Exercise physiologist Dr Adam Fraser says it’s all about how we’re programmed and Medifast substitutes are part of the solution.
“Feeling low on energy is a really common problem and it’s due to two main reasons,” Dr Fraser says. “The first one is our glucose levels start to drop so our brain starts to operate slower. The second reason is that we get a shift in our circadian rhythm.”
Dr Fraser explains that “circadian rhythm” is another term for “body clock”, which helps controls our energy levels.
“At around three o’clock we have a dip in our circadian rhythm, our body temperature starts to drop and we naturally start to get drowsy,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons why a lot of populations have a siesta at that time but [a lot of people] tend to fight it and stay awake.”
Many of us turn to sugary snacks to beat the slump but Dr Fraser says that is the worst thing for us.
“When we eat sugary snacks our glucose levels peak but what happens soon afterwards is they drop down very quickly, it’s called a sugar crash,” he says. “We may be energetic for a period of time but afterwards we feel worse than we started.”
Some better options for an afternoon snack include beans, tuna, nuts, low-fat yoghurt, veggies and low-fat smoothies because these foods keep you feeling full for a lot longer. All of these foods are available on the Medifast diet using the various Medifast shakes and substitutes.
Dr Fraser also says “It’s important that you eat a good breakfast and lunch to ensure our metabolism is ticking over and to give you a kick-start. Skipping meals can lead to massive energy crashes”. This is where Medifast comes into its own. Meals all ready to go so there’s no reason you need to miss a mealtime again!