Easter Food Coma Cures Feel Full After Overeating

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

Photographed by Michael Beckert.

After the last sliver of Easter egg passed your lips, it's tradition to fall on the nearest sofa and succumb to a food coma. Also known as "postprandial somnolence," the post-feast sleepies tend to hit around 20 minutes after eating a large meal.

Most of the time, a Easter food coma is as inevitable as that bank holiday Monday rerun of Zulu. That said, if you made plans to hang with friends, there are a few strategies you can try to feel more alert and less vegetative. First, know where the sluggishness comes from: Tradition aside, it doesn't have anything to do with your body hating chocolate itself, and instead is likely a byproduct of hormonal cues and digestive biology involved in processing large amounts of food.

Ahead, Sandra J. Arévalo, MPH, RDN, CDN, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Spokesperson; and Danny Kopel, SoulAnnex and SoulCycle instructor, share their realistic tips that might make you feel a little more energised after a huge meal.

Read These Stories Next:
Comfort Food Is The Greatest Lie We Were Ever Told
Can We Trick Our Brains Into Hating Junk Food?
Vegan Easter Eggs That Actually Taste Like Chocolate

More from Diet & Nutrition

PCOS And Diabetes Are Connected – But Women Aren’t Being Told At ...

Trigger warning: This article contains themes of bulimia and binge-eating. As someone who was diagnosed with “inconclusive PCOS (polycystic ovarian synd

by Tanyel Mustafa

From Vitamin D To Weighted Blankets: Everything You Need To Get T...

Is it me or does everyone have a cold at the moment? I’ve just emerged from a week of sniffles, hot soup, duvet days and Bake Off reruns. It was my first

by Esther Newman

Dedicated Feature

How To Stay Calm When Everything Feels Chaotic, According To A Ch...

For many of us, it can be tough to find time in our day-to-day life to gain a sense of calm. Whether you’re on a tight deadline or cosplaying as an octop

by Jasmine Wallis

No One Needs Kourtney Kardashian’s Vagina Detox Gummies

We are in celebrity wellness hell. The other week, Gwyneth Paltrow, actress and founder of wellness brand Goop, made headlines after sharing her worryingly

by Chanté Joseph

Ask A Therapist: How To Escape The Pressure To Lose Weight This Year

Ever wondered what you’d say to a therapist, given the chance? We asked Dr Sheri Jacobson, a retired psychotherapist with over 17 year

by Sadhbh O'Sullivan

I’m Afro-Vegan & Christmas With Family Is Complicated

Nigeria’s food culture is very meat-centric. A typical Nigerian meal, such as Egusi or Afang soup, Ofada stew, Abacha, etc, isn’t complete without a ch

by Edisana Stephen

TikTok’s Internal Shower Trend Is… A Bit Shit

Thanks in part to TikTok’s normalisation of the subject, we no longer wallow in our stomach problems in secret. We are now proud IBS girlies and we t

Digestive Health

Here’s Why Everyone On TikTok Is Talking About Their Gut Health

Refinery29’s selection is purely editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items we love! As part of our business model we do work with

Will Eating Always Be Emotional For Me?

For as long as I can remember, food has been bound up in my emotions. In normal, healthy ways such as cake on birthdays and family roast dinners but in wor

by Sadhbh O'Sullivan

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

7 Foods To Eat When You Really Can’t Afford To Get Sick

by Elizabeth Gulino

Diet & Nutrition

Here's What Happens When You Quit Drinking Before Christmas

Right, so before you write me off as a spiralising bore who has seen the light of sober living and wants to share – just hear me out. I really don’t ge

This Is Why Going Vegan Can Cause Havoc On Your Bowels

Welcome to Bathroom Break, Refinery29’s series all about poo and the complicated relationship we have with our bowels. To see the rest of the articles, c

by Sadhbh O'Sullivan

R29 Original Series