It’s time to stop blaming Turkey for your post-Thanksgiving meltdown
With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are looking forward to big meals, fall festivities and lots of turkey. But as soon as the plates are cleared and the last slice of pumpkin pie is spoken, the energy in the room begins to wane. Despite all the pleasures, many of us can end up feeling sleepy, energetic or ready to sleep in the morning. If you’re familiar with this post-Thanksgiving delicacy, you may know that turkey is often to blame. Word of mouth says that most of this sleepiness is a surprise part of the star dish — but does turkey really make you sleepy? Or are there other culinary culprits?
We already know that “sweat meat” is real, but what about turkey droppings? To help us solve this turkey story once and for all, we asked a registered dietitian whether turkey can really make you feel tired. And if so – do any of us eat enough to feel the effects first? Read on to uncover the truth about turkey, including what else can make you sleepy on Thanksgiving (and spoiler alert: it’s not just the food).
Experts Featured in This Article:
Maxine Yeung, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, certified trainer, and national board-certified health and wellness coach.
Does Turkey Make You Sleepy?
The short answer is no – Turkey may not be to blame for your sleepiness after dinner. While turkey contains tryptophan – an essential amino acid linked to mood and sleep – the amount of turkey is still very low. According to Maxine Yeung, MS, RD, you can expect about a quarter of a gram of tryptophan in a three-ounce portion of cooked turkey breast. “In comparison, two large eggs contain one-third of a gram of tryptophan, which is more than what you would get from one turkey breast,” Yeung said. we.
How Much Turkey Can You Take When You’re Tired?
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience found that a whole gram of tryptophan can help those with insomnia and long-term sleep disorders to fall asleep faster. However, one turkey has only a quarter of this amount.
Following this tutorial, it will take very little time to tire you out. “To get that amount, you’d need to eat at least 1.33 pounds of cooked turkey breast,” Yeung explains. However, when tryptophan is consumed as part of a diet, your body uses it for different functions, which weakens its effect on promoting sleep. result.” So don’t blame Turkey . . . even if you can help yourself for a second.
What Makes You Sleepy After a Big Meal?
If it’s not turkey, then what might be causing that common post-holiday fatigue? Yeung says there are several possible explanations.
- Grinding larger parts: “With all the side dishes, like stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving meals tend to be high in fat, sodium, refined carbohydrates and sugar,” Yeung he says. “These dishes, combined with larger-than-usual portions, may be what’s causing you to feel like you’re eating less while your diet is working overtime.”
- Drinking alcohol: eat a drinkand be happy. . . unless you go to bed first. “Alcohol can also contribute to postprandial fatigue,” Yeung says. “Like stress, it slows down your central nervous system, promoting feelings of relaxation and sleep. Plus, it can also lead to overeating, which only adds to that sleepy feeling. .”
- Holiday stress: Sometimes just showing up for the holidays feels like a daunting task, not to mention the cooking, organizing and socializing involved. “Let’s not underestimate the impact of holiday stress on our energy levels,” says Yeung. “Between the planning, cooking, cleaning, possible travel, lack of sleep, and high emotions that come with the holidays, once the meal is over, the mental and physical exhaustion of managing Thanksgiving he might hit you right away.”
How to Avoid Oversleeping After the Holidays
If you’d like to skip the tired nighttime phase, here are a few expert-approved ways to beat the holiday slump.
- Portion control: Eat enough to feel full, but try to avoid overeating to the point of discomfort if you want to keep your energy levels up.
- Try new things: Make sure your plate has a variety of them for easy digestion and more energy later. That includes lots of non-starchy vegetables, Yeung says.
- Eat throughout the day: “Saving” for large meals is a complete misconception. Don’t starve yourself when preparing for a big party — instead, eat balanced meals throughout the day to prevent overeating, Yeung suggests.
- Stay hydrated: Sweet, alcoholic drinks can add up quickly. To avoid harm caused by alcohol, make sure you drink plenty of water and keep an eye on your total.
- Take your feet: “Walking after Thanksgiving dinner — or any big meal — can be a great way to aid digestion and give your energy a little boost,” Yeung says.
Chandler Plante (her) is the assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has more than four years of journalism experience, having previously worked as an editorial assistant at People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.
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