Postprandial somnolence, commonly referred to as a "food coma" or the "post-lunch dip," is the transient state of drowsiness and lethargy that occurs following a meal. This physiological response is characterized by a measurable increase in sleepiness, which typically peaks one to two hours after eating. The intensity of this effect correlates positively with meal size and caloric density; larger, energy-rich meals tend to produce more pronounced somnolence.