Eating too much is the culprit.
Digesting a large meal diverts blood from your brain to your stomach, and let’s be honest: Thanksgiving is a HUGE meal. I’ve written about ways to prevent Food Coma, and they also apply to Turkey Day. Combine that huge meal with alcohol and dessert, and you’ve got the true cause of holiday napping.
But what about all that tryptophan?
When taken on an empty stomach, a gram or two of of the amino acid tryptophan was shown to assist those with insomnia. If you have protein in your stomach at the same time, the tryptophan won’t act on the brain. And really, of all the meals you’re likely to have protein in your stomach, Thanksgiving is the top of the list.
Besides, the small amount of tryptophan in a serving or three of turkey is not enough to cause a nap. Similar amounts are present in a serving of milk, beef, and even beans. I DO find myself pretty sleepy after a large burrito, but that is from the huge meal effect, not the tryptophan in the beans and cheese.
Overeating is a Thanksgiving tradition.
Would your experience of the day change if you didn’t eat too much, drink too much, and take a nap? Do you choose your stretchiest clothes to wear? Do you eat less for breakfast and lunch, trying to ‘balance out’ the overindulgence at dinner?
My goal for Thanksgiving is to enjoy the meal, but not suffer for it. Try some of these tips and let me know if they helped:
- Use smaller plates to encourage smaller portions
- Fill up on veggies first, proteins and sauces second
- Avoid dinner rolls (unless you love them more than stuffing)
- Chew until everything is as soft as mashed potatoes
- Save dessert for a few hours after dinner to enjoy it more
Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
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