Being a City Business District (CBD) office worker isn’t easy with tempting lunch spots calling out to us all morning.
Yet, the moment we give in to temptation, the post-meal slump hits hard—just look at my colleague knocked out after our Briyani lunch. Feeling lethargic ruins productivity and often leads to overtime.
So we’ve put together five tips you can adopt to stay energised and avoid the dreaded food coma.
1. Start eating Breakfast
Since starting work full-time, I’ve been guilty of skipping breakfast—the meal that sets the tone for the day.
On these mornings, I end up overeating at lunch, which almost always leads to a bad food coma. My colleagues experience the same thing, and it makes sense—skipping breakfast usually increases midday hunger.
The main takeaway? Start building the habit of getting breakfast. Whether it’s a simple yoghurt with granola from 7-Eleven or a hearty Ya Kun Kaya Toast breakfast set, fuelling up in the morning helps to keep hunger in check and prevents overeating at lunch.
2. Consume Fibre-rich carbohydrates
Just like our colleague Ash’s obsession with Briyani, we too love our heavy carbohydrate lunches. Nasi Padang, Laksa, and Ban Mian are some of the common, carb-heavy dishes adored by many Singaporeans.
Unfortunately, these dishes are the main cause for a food coma. Instead of avoiding them completely, you can try adding more fibre or protein while reducing the portion of noodles or rice in a single serving.
3. Stay Hydrated
How can anyone resist Chagee, Starbucks, or McDonald’s morning Iced Frappe deals? Working in the CBD makes sugary, caffeinated drinks almost unavoidable.
In fact, I was addicted to Luckin Coffee’s Iced Mocha and drank it every single day. While my body was pumped with caffeine, my Owala bottle filled with water remained untouched. This often led to more problems than I could count—sluggishness, fatigue, and even migraines!
So, I went cold turkey for a month, drinking only water. Before long, my energy and productivity soared. Moderation is key, but if you ask me, I’d always say prioritise water over sugary drinks (and no, coffee doesn’t count as water).
4. Consume Supplements
Another way to beat that sluggish feeling after lunch is to figure out what’s actually causing it. Sometimes it can be as simple as a lack of sleep, vitamins, or even having an imbalanced diet. While these issues are easily fixable, there’s no shame in relying on well-curated supplements to help you feel your best.
I’ve seen plenty of friends and family rely on their daily dose of supplements. After hearing different recommendations of well-known brands, I’ve decided to wholeheartedly recommend Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN Capsules.
What I like about Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN supplements is their effectiveness, and their approach stands out to me. Instead of focusing on my magnesium intake, the supplement boosts NAD+ levels up to 40%, promoting healthy blood flow and drastically improving our overall energy and heart health. With blood pumping consistently through your body, energy levels would naturally increase up to 80% as well.
Other than their positive effects on my body, Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN supplements pride themselves on being vegetarian-friendly. Each capsule packs the same benefits as an avocado, broccoli, cabbage, and tomatoes—basically all the greens I would normally order at my go-to neighbourhood salad spot. Now, I get to enjoy all those benefits in a single capsule pill—convenience at its finest!
It’s been a few weeks since I started taking these supplements consecutively, and the changes have been gradually kicking in. The first thing I noticed was how I no longer had my morning fog. Before I knew it, I was arriving to work earlier than usual and kickstarting my to-do list in the morning itself. My productivity levels improved when I was fully alert and functioning—all before 9am!
Another tell-tale sign was how my post-lunch slump had practically disappeared. While my colleagues slip away into full Sleeping Beauty mode, I’m still refreshed and wide awake. The feeling of finally breaking away from the doomed food coma made me feel over the moon. In fact, I’ve been trying to convince my colleagues to hop on the bandwagon with me, when I am the walking proof myself.
Another thing that I like about Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN supplements is how they’re available in either capsule or powder form, making them perfect to dissolve in your water bottle. But results vary per person, so please consult a qualified physician before starting any supplements.
5. Don’t Overorder
Curbing sugary drinks, having breakfast, staying hydrated and taking supplements are some of my favourite hacks—but portion control is key.
Whenever I visit malls on an empty stomach, I often fall victim to Don Don Donki’s irresistible deals or end up buying Rotiboy buns for my colleagues. This leads me to over-ordering, unfinished meals, and wasted food.
Now, I try to be mindful by tracking my meal expenses (which include both breakfast and lunch) to control portions, reduce food waste, and avoid food comas—all while saving money in the process.
Overall, these five tips have helped me, but I highly recommend starting with Xandro Lab’s Pure NMN supplements, which had the most significant impact on my energy levels.
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This post is brought to you by Xandro Lab.
Photos by Jae-Eryana Fitri
