16:8 Intermittent Fasting and Post Meal Crash

I have been on roughly a 16:8 or 17:7 fasting schedule for about 5 years now. One issue that I have been having recently is crashing after the first meal of the day. I normally have my first meal around 1pm. I have tried eating less and eating healthier meals but I always feel the need to nap after the meal that breaks my fast. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat; whether it is a salad and a cup of water, or a chicken sandwich I always crash. When I say crash I mean it, I have fallen asleep at work a few times. This is really causing issues for me in my daily life. Intermittent fasting has worked for me for years but only recently has this become an issue. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips?

Answer

If you have been doing that routine for a while and all of a sudden now you’re getting the post meal crashes, imo that’s worth talking to a doctor about. If your routine didn’t change and a negative symptom just popped up, that’s not normal. Comparing you blood work fasted vs blood work fed&lethargic may provide the clues needed to find out what’s up.

Otherwise, maybe 22:2 OMAD would be a better fasting window, eat right before bed and crash. That’s what I usually do on eating days.

Answer

Honestly, fasting or not, I always get tired around 2 pm and can barely keep my eyes open. Part of it is age, part of it is being unengaged with my soul draining office job. When I’m out and about on the weekends I really don’t notice it.