Advertisement
Eating turkey is only a small part of the reason you want to take a nap
It’s Thanksgiving in the U.S. The dining room table is overflowing with all the trimmings — mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing (or dressing), cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and of course, the star of the show, the glistening, golden turkey.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
You tuck into a full plate, excited and overwhelmed by all the wonderful food at your fingertips. Thank goodness you wore your stretchy pants — you’re going to need them.
Whether you clean your plate or leave a few forkfuls of Brussels sprouts behind, it doesn’t take long before you start to crash. You’re sleepy, sluggish, lethargic and feel like you can’t eat another bite (but wait, there’s three kinds of pumpkin pie, a pecan pie and Grandma’s cookies). Yikes.
Many of us attribute this sloth-like feeling to turkey (and more specifically, to tryptophan). But is that really true? Could other habits and behaviors also account for why we pass out on the couch after a big meal?
Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, explains why turkey is just part of the recipe to feeling sleepy on Thanksgiving.
Tryptophan is known to cause drowsiness — and it can be found in turkey.
A serving size of turkey, which is about 3 ounces, contains anywhere between 250 milligrams to 300 milligrams of tryptophan.
So, what is tryptophan exactly? It’s an essential amino acid that’s used to make proteins. And you can only get tryptophan from the foods you eat.
Turkey isn’t the only food with tryptophan. Other foods that contain it include:
Advertisement
A key point of clarification, though? You’d have to eat a lot of these foods — including turkey — to feel drowsy.
So, why do you feel sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner or another big meal? You need to look at the whole picture.
“You might feel mildly tired after eating turkey,” says Zumpano. “But the tryptophan is not the only reason.”
Eating turkey is just one piece of the drowsiness puzzle when you eat a big meal like a turkey dinner. Here are some other reasons why you may feel sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner:
You probably tend to overeat during Thanksgiving dinner. And consider the types of foods you’re eating, says Zumpano.
“The meal typically contains large amounts of carbs (stuffing, potatoes, pie, desserts, rolls), which can spike your blood sugar initially,” she continues. “But then, your blood sugar levels crash or decrease, which leaves you feeling lethargic.”
To handle the large amount of food in your stomach, there’s a change in your blood circulation.
“Your bowels need more blood to digest the large meal, which may lead to less blood to your brain causing you to feel less alert,” explains Zumpano.
You don’t just have to contend with all the delicious food options. You may also feel like having a cocktail, glass of wine or beer with your meal.
“When you’re adding alcohol in the mix, that’s going to make you feel that more lethargic, more relaxed feeling on top of a big heavy meal,” Zumpano adds.
What can you do to combat that post-meal crash? Zumpano shares a few tips:
Advertisement
It can be tempting to load up your plate with all Thanksgiving dinner has to offer. But if you don’t like how you feel afterward, remember that you’re in control.
“If it’s a part of Thanksgiving that you don’t particularly enjoy, know that you can change the outcome,” encourages Zumpano. “You can take steps like watching how much you eat and drink exercising and getting enough sleep beforehand.”
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Your relationships with food, physical fitness, social interactions and advance planning desires may need to be modified
After a cholecystectomy, your body may temporarily have a hard time processing fat and fiber
There’s no proven way to remove the natural stimulant from your body, but you can counter its effects by staying hydrated and getting in some movement
Opt for soft foods or liquids that are rich in protein, calories and vitamins
The pros and cons of taking prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant depend on your age, ethnicity and health
Getting the hang of portions can help you better understand how much to put on your plate
Intermittent fasting could impact your milk supply and energy levels, so it’s best to wait until you’ve weaned your baby from nursing
Rich in protein, fiber, unsaturated fats and must-have minerals, pepitas are a great healthy-snacking option — and we have recipe ideas to help get you started!
Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help
A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine