Does Turkey Really Make You Tired?

Turkey is often cited as the culprit in after-feast lethargy, and hardly a Thanksgiving goes by without someone mentioning the sleep inducing effects of tryptophan found in the holiday bird. But the truth of the matter is, tryptophan only causes sleepiness when eaten alone. And honestly, who only eats turkey on Thanksgiving day?

The real reason behind the infamous post-dinner drowsiness is the fact that you've likely overeaten. If you've eaten a lot of high-carb, fat-laden foods, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, rice, corn bread, rolls, gravy, and even apple pie, your body is stuck using every ounce of energy to digest is. This in turn makes you really, really tired. If you add a glass of wine into the mix, as many people do, you're even more likely to get heavy-eyed.

While preparing for the meal and holiday can be stressful, most people find that the meal is the most relaxing part of the festivities. No matter how crazy your day was, once you sit down you begin to relax, and often times, that feeling carries over after the meal.

So the real reason you're sleepy after a big turkey dinner is a combination of the food, the amount of food you consume, and the celebratory atmosphere.

To avoid the post Thanksgiving dinner fatigue, exercise some portion control. Eat slowly, and have a glass of water with the meal. You'll feel fuller faster, and won't be as likely to overeat. Besides, there will be plenty of leftovers for the next day, so you don't have to worry about missing out. It'll still be there.