It’s as reliable as the parades and football games: You indulge in the Thanksgiving feast, then settle in for a much needed nap. Although you might blame your “food coma” on the turkey specifically, it’s more likely a result of overeating.
That’s not to say turkey can’t make you sleepy.
“Turkey, which is typically the star of a Thanksgiving meal, is naturally high in tryptophan,” Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist and the author of “This is Your Brain on Food,” told Health.
What is tryptophan?
According to WebMD, tryptophan is an “essential amino acid that plays a role in the production of serotonin, melatonin, niacin, and nicotinamide.”
Although tryptophan — and the melatonin it produces — can make us sleepy, it’s also helpful in breaking down food, growing and repairing tissues, producing hormones and brain chemicals, and maintaining a healthy digestive system.
But laying the blame all on turkey is a bit simplistic. After all, tryptophan is also found in plenty of foods we eat all year long, including cheese, chicken, egg whites, fish, milk, peanuts, and pumpkin and sesame seeds.
Avoid overeating
Knowing how widespread tryptophan is, it makes sense to look for other causes of your post-meal sleepiness. The main factor is actually overeating, especially of the high-carb side dishes so many of us love — mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and bread. Experts also note a few cocktails or beers over the course of the afternoon can leave you feeling tired, too.
“To avoid post-meal drowsiness, it is important to not eat past your body’s fullness,” explained Georgia-based nutritionist Trista Best, RD, LD. “Don’t stuff yourself at the meal to the point of being uncomfortable. It is also important to make sure you are hydrated, as this will help with energy as well.”
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