if calories equal energy why do we feel more lethargic on high calorie foods like kebabs, fast food, pizza etc rather than more energetic. And why do we feel more energetic on lighter goods like chicken and salads.

Question

if calories equal energy why do we feel more lethargic on high calorie foods like kebabs, fast food, pizza etc rather than more energetic. And why do we feel more energetic on lighter goods like chicken and salads.

In: 20

Answer 1

Unless you are literally starving your body does not lack energy. Eg if you weigh 140 lbs and have 10% body fat, that equates to two or three weeks worth of stored energy.

So eating is not normally needed as a way to get energy into the body for immediate use. But to extract the nutrients from food, the body diverts more blood towards the digestive system; while exercise would divert more blood towards towards the muscles. So, when you eat a large meal, the body would rather get the nutrients, so it signals you to not do anything strenuous.