Torpor Trap

SUMMER afternoons are the worst enemies of a constructive lifestyle. Rising temperatures outside coincide with a natural lull in your biorhy...

SUMMER afternoons are the worst enemies of a constructive lifestyle. Rising temperatures outside coincide with a natural lull in your biorhythms, especially if little thought is given to lunch. The energy drop can jeopardise your mood, your output and much more.

8226; What is a post-lunch slump?
Between the hours of 2.30 pm and 5 pm, says Delhi-based nutritionist

Dr Shikha Sharma, 8216;8216;an office-worker typically feels hazy, unable to focus properly and tired. It results in an unwillingness to do any work, whether physical or mental.8217;8217;

8226; Why does it set in?
Fatigue, boredom and hunger are at their most potent between 2.30 pm and 5 pm. But in India, it is the sun and the heat which are most likely to cause afternoon lethargy, apart from the food you eat.

8216;8216;The heat of the afternoon, coupled with the heat generated by a heavy meal, results in a post-prandial listlessness,8217;8217; says Dr Sharma. 8216;8216;It is a combination of the heat outside and inside the body.8217;8217;

	GRAZING CHART
	8-9 am: Fruits only 11.30 am-noon: Low-cal roasted food, lassi, corn salad 3 pm: Veggies with cereals, meat with grain foods , beans, fruit 5.30 pm: Nimbupani/tea 7.30 pm: A light dinner, go easy on carbs

8226; Since we can8217;t wish away summer afternoons, how do we deal with them?
An unproductive afternoon can actually spill over into the rest of the day, triggering dissatisfaction and mood swings. The best way to avoid the torpor trap is by indulging in small, frequent meals and a generous helping of liquids. 8216;8216;A diet that is cooling in nature is best suited to Indian summers,8217;8217; says Dr Sharma.

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8226; Will a coffee help?
Not really. The caffeine hit will get you up and going for a while, but a lot of people add a couple of sugars too with the idea of borrowing energy. 8216;8216;The sugar overdose actually induces the laziness,8217;8217; says Dr Sharma. Also on the avoid list: Foods laden with sugar and/or fat, such as biscuits, cold drinks and, yes, energy bars.

8226; So the best fuel is8230;
Small amounts of vegetables with carbs and juices. Light protein meals also work. Try these combinations to tide over those lazy afternoons:

Vegetables with cereals: Roti-sabzi or salads with boiled corn and brown rice
Meats with grain foods: For instance, a shredded chicken salad with veggies and beansprouts
Beans and pulses: French beans, rajma or channa
Dairy with fruit: Not milk, but yogurt and seasonal fruits. Also try fruit chaat or bhelpuri
Wash it down with: Watermelon juice, fresh lime soda or nimbupani