Lakshmi Kale: 7 Eating Habits That Drain Your Energy might not be what you think. While we often blame poor sleep or stress for daily exhaustion, clinical nutritionist Lakshmi Kale from Nutrition In Sync points out that your everyday food choices could be the real problem. She explains that seemingly harmless habits often work against you, leaving you feeling depleted without knowing why.
Many people fall for the sugar rush myth, believing biscuits or sugary snacks provide a quick boost. However, Kale notes that this feeling rarely lasts, with tiredness often setting in within 30 minutes. To prevent this crash, she recommends pairing carbohydrates with protein, healthy fats, or fibre. Similarly, while lunch is often blamed for the afternoon slump, your biological clock is a bigger factor; a large, high-fat meal worsens sleepiness, so opt for a balanced plate instead.
Your beverage habits also play a role. Lakshmi Kale warns that a late afternoon coffee can backfire, as 400 mg of caffeine consumed even six hours before bed can reduce sleep by over an hour. Likewise, alcohol doesn’t provide restful sleep; it suppresses REM sleep and fragments the night, leaving you groggy. Beyond lifestyle tweaks, she highlights that nutrient deficiencies, particularly low iron and vitamin B12, are common in India and can cause persistent fatigue.
If you feel exhausted after weeks of improving your diet and routine, it’s wise to consult a doctor to rule out thyroid disorders, diabetes, or sleep apnoea. These simple adjustments to your eating habits can offer the biggest boost to your daily energy.