You’ve got brain fog

That afternoon slump is real. Feeling fatigued as the day rolls on might have you reaching for coffee or push you to nibble on a snack (or three), but it could be the amount of protein in your system that’s causing your eyes to glaze over and your thoughts to become incoherent. “Brain fog, in general, is also a possibility from too much protein, as a sugar deficit for the brain can cause your brain to actually shrink,” Immer explains. Overeating protein means that you might be displacing your carbs. This is risky because, as McMordie says, “carbs are the brain’s main source of energy, and without enough, it will be hard to concentrate.” Make sure your healthy snack between lunch and dinner has a nice balance of carbs and protein, so you feel full, without feeling foggy.