Saumya has a new casa in Mumbai; heads to Bali to shop for unique furniture

She adds, “The search became even more difficult because of my hectic shooting schedules. My criteria were — I was looking for a bigger house than what I live in now, and secondly, I wanted a location that was convenient regarding reaching the airport.”

While she is happy with her choice, Saumya is still searching for the elusive house that she can call ‘ideal’. The actor says, “Mumbai is not an ideal place to buy a perfect house. I like houses, not flats. Since I am nature’s girl, my dream house will have a backyard and kitchen garden.” She adds, “Given the situation in Mumbai, I am looking for space, location and surely the house should be airy, and well-lit. I don’t like loud and gaudy interiors. I live in such a house, and surely my new house will not be like that. Emptiness has its beauty.” ou’re at work and just had your lunch. You should feel all charged up, but as you get back to your desk to get some work done, suddenly your eyes start closing and you feel almost drugged by sleep. What’s happening? Fret not. There’s nothing to worry about; however you can avoid this situation, say doctors.

There’s a very strong reason for this post-lunch slump. It’s all because of what you’ve eaten.

There are actually two reasons. The first one is that you’ve eaten a heavy meal, high on fat. “The body has to work hard to digest food and the blood flow is directed towards the GI (gastrointestinal) tract; hence you feel sleepy,” says Ritika Samaddar, Delhi-based dietician.

The second is a high-carb meal. “This drowsiness is more evident if the lunch menu is rich in carbohydrates. Food influences the melatonin production in our brain, and carbs are one such food group. Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain, and it helps control your sleeping and waking cycles,” says Dr Manoj Kutteri, a wellness specialist.

WHAT TO EAT

•Have smaller and frequent meals rather than one large portion for lunch.

•Include protein and complex carbs as part of your lunch plate. Take meals that are rich in micronutrients and have adequate fibre content.

•Some physical activity after lunch, such as walking or stretching ensures that muscles are activated. It also helps improve blood flow and naturally increases energy, makes you feel sharper.

•Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

•Improve your breathing habits so that you get sufficient energy.

WHAT TO AVOID

The ideal lunch plate should be a combination of lean proteins, complex carbs and veggies. “Avoid refined carbs like bread, sugary drinks, refined flour-based products like buns, pasta etc,” suggests Samaddar. Processed foods and high-carb meals lead to the release of large amounts of insulin, which induces the release of serotonin. This hormone regulates mood and sleep, so an imbalance could affect you. Some foods with higher levels of the amino acid tryptophan should be avoided at lunch. “A few are turkey, spinach, soy, eggs, cheese, tofu, and fish — they make the body create more serotonin, responsible for that post-meal daze,” adds Dr Kutteri. Among fruits, cherries should be avoided, as they affect melatonin levels.