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!
Does working out always have to be a serious endeavor? I hope not. Two days ago I attended my first Aerial Yoga class, and I think it may be True Love!
The side bends with which we began our practice felt great. Warrior and Tree poses were challenging; finding a visual still point while you are slowly spinning is new for me. The flips and inversions are poses will require some more arm strength, but look like a ton of fun. I’m proudest of my handstand with legs wrapped in the silk fabric.
Right now I’m less jealous of my Oakland friends, thanks to Aerial Yoga. Although we lack a Flying Trapeze here in the South Bay, here are some additional fun ways to work out:
You probably aren’t getting enough water if you “hate the way water tastes”.
Try leaving mint, cucumber, lemon, or lime in a pitcher of water overnight for a nice subtle flavor. Strawberries or raspberries will turn your water a light pink, and create a pleasant flavor almost right away. Another cure for the blegh taste of tap water is a Pur or Britta water filter. A faucet mounted one or a pitcher based one can make even the funkiest water taste pleasant.
Yes! 
We may never regain the perfect knees we had as children, but it is possible to have less pain, more flexibility, and better strength. What are you missing because of knee pain?