The TRUTH about TURKEY

The turkey is always to blame for our overeating slump after the big Thanksgiving meal. Most people are carry the misconception that it is the tryptophan in turkey that causes people to become sleepy after gobbling their dinner. And this much is true, turkey has tryptophan--an amino acid used in the body to make the B-vitamin niacin. Tryptophan is metabolized into serotonin and melatonin which are calming hormones, an also has documented sleep inducing effects. However, research also shows that tryptophan needs to be taken on an empty stomach in order to make you sleepy. I highly doubt at Thanksgiving you only eat turkey...what about all those fattening sides? And pie?

Here are the culprits of your post-dinner nappy-time:
Fats & overeating: We can't deny that Thanksgiving dinner is loaded with different fats--that's one reason we enjoy it so much! But in our bodies, fat slows down the digestive system and take a lot of energy to digest (which is why you should never eat them before a workout!). Your body redirects blood to your digestive system and since you have less blood flow elsewhere so you'll feel less energetic.
Alcohol: C'mon we all know that alcohol is a nervous system depressant. In other words, they make you groggy. 
Relaxation: While we complain that the holidays are stressful with our weird-crazy family around, the food, the atmsphere, and the idea of a holiday and being off work is satisfying and gives you a chance to site back and relax. Being relaxed makes you tired!


So why are you sleepy after the big turkey dinner? It's a combo of the food, the amount of food, booze, and the atmosphere. Eat up and sleep up!