Are 'food comas' real or a figment of your digestion?

By Lisa Drayer, CNN

Updated 1448 GMT (2248 HKT) February 3, 2017

Instead of saturating your tortilla chips with copious amounts of cheese, choose <a href="http://memeinge.com/blog/healthy-loaded-nachos/" target="_blank">alternate toppings</a> for a leaner, more flavorful approach on these healthy loaded nachos.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Instead of saturating your tortilla chips with copious amounts of cheese, choose alternate toppings for a leaner, more flavorful approach on these healthy loaded nachos.
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Most seven-layer bean dips are packed with sour cream and full-fat cheese. Instead, use <a href="http://pickyeaterblog.com/guilt-free-healthy-7-layer-bean-dip/" target="_blank">do-it-yourself chips</a>, mashed avocados and Greek yogurt.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Most seven-layer bean dips are packed with sour cream and full-fat cheese. Instead, use do-it-yourself chips, mashed avocados and Greek yogurt.
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Potato skins are a must-have for the Big Game. These <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/healthy-chipotle-chicken-sweet-potato-skins/" target="_blank">chipotle chicken sweet potato skins</a> feature sweet potatoes, which are lower in calories and higher in fiber, paired with low-fat cheese.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Potato skins are a must-have for the Big Game. These chipotle chicken sweet potato skins feature sweet potatoes, which are lower in calories and higher in fiber, paired with low-fat cheese.
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Nutritional superstar quinoa has a starring role in <a href="http://fitfoodiefinds.com/2013/09/black-bean-quinoa-chili/" target="_blank">this black bean and quinoa chili</a> recipe, alongside diced tomatoes, herbs and spices.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Nutritional superstar quinoa has a starring role in this black bean and quinoa chili recipe, alongside diced tomatoes, herbs and spices.
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Most buffalo chicken wings are deep-fried and loaded with fat and calories. <a href="http://snack-girl.com/snack/healthy-buffalo-chicken-wings-recipe/" target="_blank">This fitter option</a> calls for boiling and baking the wings.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Most buffalo chicken wings are deep-fried and loaded with fat and calories. This fitter option calls for boiling and baking the wings.
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Vegans at your game party? Try buffalo-cauliflower wing pizza with tofu-blue cheese spread. Roasting cauliflower makes it crunchy and chewy, not rubbery.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Vegans at your game party? Try buffalo-cauliflower wing pizza with tofu-blue cheese spread. Roasting cauliflower makes it crunchy and chewy, not rubbery.
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Caramelized onions are folded into black bean patties and then topped with homemade guacamole for vegan-friendly Mexicali sliders.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Caramelized onions are folded into black bean patties and then topped with homemade guacamole for vegan-friendly Mexicali sliders.
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Don't forget the chips! Sriracha gives homemade potato chips a kick. You just need a Russet potato, sriracha, peanut oil and salt.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Don't forget the chips! Sriracha gives homemade potato chips a kick. You just need a Russet potato, sriracha, peanut oil and salt.
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Replace corn chips with apples for apple nachos? Sure! This dessert-like dish mixes apples, nuts and coconut along with peanut butter and chocolate.
Photos: Healthy Super Bowl snacks
Replace corn chips with apples for apple nachos? Sure! This dessert-like dish mixes apples, nuts and coconut along with peanut butter and chocolate.
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healthy loaded nachos 7-Layer Bean DipChipotle Chicken Sweet Potato SkinsBlack Bean and Quinoa ChiliBuffalo Chicken WingsBuffalo Cauliflower-Wing PizzaChef Chloe Mexicali SlidersBaked Sriracha Potato ChipsApple Nachos

Story highlights

  • Postprandial somnolence is the tired, sleepy feeling many experience after a big meal
  • The extent to which sleepiness is induced depends on the magnitude of the meal