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Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family, friends, and of course, mountains of delicious food. But after all that feasting, you might find yourself feeling more like taking a nap than catching up with your loved ones What’s the deal? Is it the turkey itself that’s making you drowsy, or is there something else at play?
The Truth About Turkey and Tryptophan
Many people blame tryptophan an amino acid found in turkey for their post-Thanksgiving drowsiness. Tryptophan plays a role in the production of serotonin and melatonin, which are neurotransmitters that regulate sleep. However, the amount of tryptophan in turkey isn’t enough to actually make you sleepy.
The Real Culprits: A Feast of Factors
So what’s really behind that post-meal fatigue? Here are the real culprits:
- Overeating: Let’s face it, Thanksgiving is a feast, and it’s easy to overindulge. Eating a large meal, regardless of what it contains, can make you feel sluggish and tired.
- High-fat and high-sugar dishes: Many Thanksgiving staples, like mashed potatoes, gravy, and desserts, are loaded with fat and sugar. These can cause a spike in blood sugar, followed by a crash that leaves you feeling drained.
- Alcohol: A few glasses of wine or cocktails can definitely contribute to drowsiness. Alcohol is a depressant, and it can interfere with your sleep-wake cycle.
How to Avoid Post-Meal Drowsiness
If you want to avoid feeling sleepy after your Thanksgiving feast, here are a few tips:
- Don’t overeat: Listen to your body and stop eating when you feel full.
- Focus on healthy options: Choose lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit alcohol: Stick to one or two drinks, or opt for non-alcoholic beverages.
- Get some exercise: Go for a walk after your meal to help your body digest and burn off some calories.
- Take a nap: If you’re feeling really tired, a short nap can help you feel refreshed and re-energized.
The Bottom Line
While turkey doesn’t deserve all the blame for post-Thanksgiving drowsiness, it’s definitely not the only factor at play. By being mindful of what you eat and drink, and getting some exercise, you can enjoy your Thanksgiving feast without feeling like you need to hibernate for the rest of the day.
Bonus Tip:
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious Thanksgiving side dish, try roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries and pecans. They’re packed with nutrients and flavor, and they won’t weigh you down.
So, there you have it! The mystery of post-Thanksgiving drowsiness is solved. Now go forth and enjoy your holiday feast without feeling like you need to take a nap afterwards.
Why are people so tired after eating a Thanksgiving meal?
“The reason we get so tired after Thanksgiving dinner is because we overeat. It not because of tryptophan,” says Robinson. “When we eat two or three plates full of food, digestion uses up a lot of our energy.” ”.
Eating too many carbohydrates like stuffing, sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes can also contribute to post-dinner fatigue.
According to Robinson, “eating carbohydrates causes the release of insulin, which helps remove glucose and amino acids from our blood.” “This allows tryptophan to pass the blood brain barrier, enter the brain to form serotonin and ultimately, melatonin. You will undoubtedly be ready for a nap after your large meal if you combine alcohol with your tiredness from getting ready for the holidays. ”.
If you want to enjoy your Turkey Day without overdoing it, try to follow Robinson’s health tips:
- Make sure you exercise a little more on Thanksgiving Day. By burning off excess calories before the big meal, this will result in a calorie deficit. Take the family for a long walk around the block before and after dinner, or register for the yearly 5K Turkey Trot.
- Don’t skip breakfast. Consume a modest breakfast high in protein and fiber to help you manage your hunger all day. It will keep you from overeating at dinner.
- Make healthier dishes. You can reduce or swap out the fat and sugar in your favorite recipes to make them healthier.
- Try not to go for seconds. One plate should be enough food to satisfy you.
- Eat slowly. You can feel full from just one plate of food if you can pace yourself.
- Take it easy on the alcohol. To stay hydrated and reduce the empty calories from alcohol, sip water in between drinks.
For more helpful, healthful tips click here.
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Does eating turkey make you sleepy?
Many people think that turkey causes sleepiness because it contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin.
Serotonin is a chemical released by the brain that plays an important role in regulating mood. It is also used to make melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep and wake cycles. A diet rich in tryptophan has been said to elevate mood and promote relaxation.
But according to Robinson, turkey doesn’t really contain any more tryptophan than other kinds of poultry.
“Actually, turkey has slightly less tryptophan than chicken,” says Robinson. “Also, many nuts and seeds tend to have more tryptophan than turkey as well. ”.
Does Turkey Actually Make You Sleepy?
How does Turkey affect sleep?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in various foods, including turkey. Tryptophan can influence mood and sleep by affecting serotonin and melatonin production. While tryptophan may promote relaxation, overall diet and lifestyle greatly affect sleep quality.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Does Turkey make you drowsy?
There is another reason turkey has been accused of causing drowsiness: Tryptophan is also a precursor to melatonin, a sleep-associated hormone manufactured in the brain’s pineal gland.
Does Thanksgiving turkey Make you Sleepy?
Tryptophan in turkey has become almost as famous as the bird’s white and dark meat. So has the legend of its power to make people sleepy. But does Thanksgiving turkey actually induce drowsiness? “No more so than tuna fish.