Rebecca Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Why do I feel like falling asleep shortly after drinking a green smoothie? This is what was in mine (I drank about half of this): 3 large handfuls raw spinach (at least three cups) 1 large cup frozen wild blueberries 1.5 cups 100 percent juice grape juice 3 large strawberries, cut up 1/2 avocado 4 ice cubes I have had this twice and both times- about an hour later- I feel SO tired and like I have to take a nap. Is it a blood sugar thing? Is it a thyroid thing? Help! I was so excited to start drinking green smoothies! -Rebecca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Why grape juice? 1.5 cups of grape juice contains 15 teaspoons of sugar (A tsp. of sugar weighs about 4 grams.). And no, it does not matter that there is no sugar added and that it is fruit sugar (fructose). It's still a massive ton of refined carbs. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 protein.... that's piles of carbs with no protein. Add yogurt or protein powder and I bet that will help 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureMoms Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yes, that was a ton of carbs. I would be asleep too. Skip the juice, and add some more fat and protein. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Just remembered this neat recipe generator I found: http://www.greensmoothiecentral.com/blender.html The general rule is 2 servings fruit/1 serving greens. WHOLE fruit--not juice. Getting the fiber keeps the carbs from putting you to sleep. I never did add any protein powders etc. but did use milled flax or chia seeds occasionally. If you like peanut butter, there is powdered PB out there. (PB2 and some others.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Thank you!!! I did grape juice because that is what the recipe called for!! I trusted the recipe. I am sensitive to carbs- so that must be it!!! What combo of fruit/veg do you use? Off to check that link. -Rebecca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 It's the spinach, which contains a great deal of magnesium. See the attached article, section 2 (Eat Like Popeye): http://theconsciouslife.com/10-relaxing-foods-that-melt-stress-away.htm I noticed the exact same feeling when I was drinking beet/apple/kale juice the other day. My muscles relaxed and I wanted to sleep for hours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I think it's the grape juice. That's a huge amount of sugar. I make mine with frozen strawberries, banana, yogurt, spinach and water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yes! That is exactly how it felt. Like a deep relaxation. This is why I was puzzled- because it did feel different from the sleepy blood sugar feeling I have gotten at times. However, I ate a bit of bacon and perked up a bit... my muscles do still feel that relaxed, tired feeling though!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Okay. So, I will eliminate the grape juice. I was hoping this was a way I could get the antioxidants and other benefits I have heard of from drinking the 100 percent grape juice. I was just told that Welch's grape juice (the pure grape juice) has as much antioxidants as a glass of wine. Also, I read that stomach bug thread with interest! Grape juice as a preventative!! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 I thought bananas had a lot of sugar and were not good from a carb stand-point...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 tons of carbs. I cannot do traditional smoothies anymore either, juicing is easier for me to do low carb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 It's possible. I just like them :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I thought bananas had a lot of sugar and were not good from a carb stand-point...? A medium banana has about 14 grams of sugar. According to the 100% grape juice I have in the fridge, it has 39 grams per 8oz. So, your 12oz of grape juice is nearly 60(!) grams of sugar. I would cut out the juice, or maybe cut it to 4oz if you really want to keep it, and add in more protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 So, total you have at least 100g of sugar/carbs. I bet it tastes good, no telling what it does to your blood sugar though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I'm sensitive to carbs and can have only 4 oz. of a green smoothie in the morning. Alongside eggs for protein. Do you have a glucometer? Depending on how your blood sugar gets, the sleepiness could be from high sugars or from a crash once it drops. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 So, total you have at least 100g of sugar/carbs. I bet it tastes good, no telling what it does to your blood sugar though. It is yum!! The one I made for my kids/dh had two bananas in it instead of the avocado and strawberries. They all LOVE it. I don't have a glucometer. I am still feeling weird. :( Years ago, I used to drink a green barley drink that totally messed with my thyroid. Once I stopped drinking it, I recovered. I am also nursing a two month old baby. Nursing fog- plus this- is just doing me in today!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 My advice. Order or buy a glucometer. If you have a history of sensitivity to carbs you really do need one. You can order free ones online but the test strips you have to use cost quite a bit. You can buy a cheap one at somewhere like Walmart and the test strips are cheaper too. More immediate advice. Eat some protein. It will help to stabilize your blood sugar, if indeed it is your blood sugar. Not sure what to say about the thyroid. I'm on thyroid pills but haven't had the same problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 It's not lack of protein. There is plenty of protein in the spinach. It's probably sugar crash from the grape juice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 For smoothies I use unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened yogurt (or a cleaner protein powder like Jay Robb sometimes), frozen berries, sometimes spinach or half an avocado, and a touch of stevia. I don't do juice or higher carb fruits like bananas. I will sometimes toss a banana in if I'm sharing it with my kids (splitting the smoothie 4 ways). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I was just told that Welch's grape juice (the pure grape juice) has as much antioxidants as a glass of wine. So do prunes :D 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Broccoli is surprisingly sweet when juiced. I also add a scoop of Vega One to my green smoothies for protein and fiber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 i make what i call a mud smoothie -1-2 cup of spinach, a half cup of frozen fruit, some soy milk, some molasses, some hemp protein powder, a small handful of cashews, a dash of OJ, a tsp of instant coffee!! and ice. i definitely dont feel sleepy . . . it tastes like mud, but i LOVE it but yeah, a smoothie thats all fruit and juice is yummy, but not what i'd call healthy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 BTW - the green barley drink you mentioned up thread is used to lower blood sugar. It could have lowered your bloodsugars too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureMoms Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 It's not lack of protein. There is plenty of protein in the spinach. It's probably sugar crash from the grape juice. Spinach has about 1g protein per cup. 3g protein/100+g carbs isn't a great ratio, especially for a nursing mom. I agree with the advice to eat some protein to help stabilize the sugars now,and add some to future smoothies. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 I make mine with water, banana, blueberries, yogurt, spinach and baby carrots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 Thank you! I do think it is nutritious- (in general) although maybe not the best choice for me! It is raw and full of nutrients- even if it is high in sugar. So, I am definitely still making it for my family and just tweaking a different recipe for me! I love the mud drink. Ha! I remembered the name of the Green Drink I mentioned above- It was called BarleyLife and it did have Kelp in it. Love all the recipes and combinations people have shared. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Regarding Green Smoothies- I just read that they weren't that good for you? Any thoughts? i make what i call a mud smoothie -1-2 cup of spinach, a half cup of frozen fruit, some soy milk, some molasses, some hemp protein powder, a small handful of cashews, a dash of OJ, a tsp of instant coffee!! and ice. i definitely dont feel sleepy . . . it tastes like mud, but i LOVE it but yeah, a smoothie thats all fruit and juice is yummy, but not what i'd call healthy What does this do for you health wise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Regarding Green Smoothies- I just read that they weren't that good for you? Any thoughts? What does this do for you health wise? Matt Stone often mentions this on 180degreehealth.com -- that green smoothies aren't really that good for you. One issue is that people who drink green smoothies are over-hydrated, which stresses (lowers) the metabolism He also mentions that if you get sleepy after eating something, particularly carbs, your metabolism is probably overstressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Why do I feel like falling asleep shortly after drinking a green smoothie? This is what was in mine (I drank about half of this): 3 large handfuls raw spinach (at least three cups) 1 large cup frozen wild blueberries 1.5 cups 100 percent juice grape juice 3 large strawberries, cut up 1/2 avocado 4 ice cubes I have had this twice and both times- about an hour later- I feel SO tired and like I have to take a nap. Is it a blood sugar thing? Is it a thyroid thing? Help! I was so excited to start drinking green smoothies! -Rebecca The grape juice has a high glycemic index, in addition to all the sugar. You'll notice a lot of "100% juice blend" drinks are very high in grape juice. We avoid it (even for the kids). I would stick with the whole fruit. You can increase the ice cubes, or add some yogurt. Note also that blueberries have some kind of odd pectin overdrive stuff, so blueberry smoothies can gel up pretty quickly. They're best when consumed promptly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Easley08 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 I found this topic via a google search, I am having similar problems however my mix is different. Hand full of spinach frozen strawberries banana greek yogurt little bit of pineapple juice (maybe 1/2 cup) celery vitamin E and B12 It is making me sleepy. Too much sugar? or? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Like everyone said, it is the high sugars. I can't handle high sugars or carbs in the morning. I will be toast for the rest of the day. For the past month (I need to switch things up a bit but am still enjoying this smoothie too much to change. I never used to allow fruit!) I have been making a smoothie using half a large container of Olivia's organic spinach, about 3/4 cup mango and a large piece of ginger. I love it. i used to do veggie smoothies only for years. I'm living life large now. :D more importantly, I feel no crash at all from this and it satisfies me for hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Zombie thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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