
Does The Traditional Thanksgiving “Turkey” Make You Feel Lethargic?

Imagine this yearly ritual: you’re sitting in the dining room, having the most scrumptious and lip-smacking meal of the day. You finish that last portion of your slow-roasted turkey and mashed potatoes, push back from the table, wipe away a few crumbs off your face, and then you feel the haze of laziness kicking in. A deep sense of grogginess starts taking over and you take a yawn. The yawn that forces you to ask a question, “what was in that turkey”?!

Pro Church Media/Unsplash | Several people complain of feeling excessively tired post a heavy Thanksgiving meal. But why does it happen?
Doesn’t that sound like something you go through every Thanksgiving? If it does, have you ever wondered why it happens? Can turkey really make you feel so tired and sluggish? Let’s find out.
A million-dollar question
When the thanksgiving dinner is served, it doesn’t only comprise turkey. It’s accompanied by so many other dishes as well, so why do we always blame the poor turkey? Why not the pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes? Well, it’s because turkey indeed contains a type of amino acid called L-tryptophan that can slow down your system and make you feel sleepy. That’s why you feel lousy and restless after a hearty thanksgiving dinner.
That being said, experts and nutritionists don’t rely on this theory; at least not completely. They believe L-tryptophan is responsible for producing a good amount of serotonin in our brains. For those who don’t know, serotonin is a hormone that helps in relaxing your overall mood. It’s also responsible for good sleep and better digestion. Therefore, turkey is responsible for your tiredness after a good hearty dinner.

SJ ./Unsplash | Turkey indeed contains a type of amino acid called L-tryptophan that can slow down your system and make you feel sleepy, but it’s also accompanied with other dishes which contribute to the sluggishness
However, for some people, the L-tryptophan amino acid does something absolutely opposite. The proteins and other acids present in the bird lower down the levels of L-tryptophan, which allows some people to stay wide awake and not hit the thanksgiving snooze.
Thanksgiving foods that can make you drowsy
By now, one thing is quite clear – turkey does make you feel tired, but there are a lot of other foods and factors that contribute to the lethargy. So which bunch of foods share the blame?
Carbohydrates, be it bread, potatoes, pies, when consumed in large portions play a part in making you feel lazy. After gorging on a scrumptious thanksgiving meal, your stomach feels way too full than usual, which is why your body transfers extra blood to the digestive system in order to aid digestion, and this leads to laziness.
So how can you feel awake post your meal?
Remember, thanksgiving is an auspicious occasion where you get to spend time with your family and count your blessings. And come on, who are we fooling? Festivals are incomplete without food and eating. But while most of the dishes are considered healthy and nutritious, eating too much can leave you feeling pretty bleh.
If feeling sluggish after dinner is not on your charts, here are some suggestions that’ll help you avoid it.
- Watch your carb intake and try eating in small portions.
- Don’t keep yourself hungry for the entire day, eat at the usual timings.
- Keep yourself moving, get outside, and go for a quick walk. This will not only help in digestion but make you feel better overall.

Christopher Ryan/Unsplash | Festivals are incomplete without food and eating. But while most of the dishes are considered healthy and nutritious, eating too much can leave you feeling pretty bleh
Now that you’ve successfully come out of the bubble, it’s on you whether you want to make a difference or stick to the same old. Nonetheless, whatever you choose, make sure you have a great thanksgiving.
More inLeisure
-
`
Here Are Some Ways to Prepare for Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Since the COVID-19 vaccines have been introduced, many people are surrounded with either suspicion or absolute delight. But, with all the...
November 1, 2022 -
`
Promoting Wellness At The Workplace
After the pandemic, the concept of well-being and mental health has received importance in our environment. There has been a positive...
October 29, 2022 -
`
The House Progressive Bill Plans To Take Medicare Out Of Medicare Advantage’s Name
Let’s be honest: healthcare is every person’s right, whether one is an immigrant or a citizen! Every person deserves to go...
October 25, 2022 -
`
Harry Hamlin Reveals He’s ‘Never Done’ Plastic Surgery
Born in Pasadena, California, in 1951, Harry Hamlin is an American actor, novelist, and entrepreneur. 1974 saw his graduation from Yale...
October 25, 2022 -
`
From Comedians To Faithful Leaders: Two Stand-Up Comedians Who Turned Into Priests
There comes a moment in one’s life when they come across something that changes their entire perspective on life. It could...
October 21, 2022 -
`
How To Get A Celebrity Look? Hear From Latin American Makeup Artists
Who does not want an awesome look? Needless to say, all of us want a look that attracts onlookers in no...
October 20, 2022 -
`
The Best Makeup Looks Created By Latin-American Artists
Makeup is an art in itself, and makeup artists have something to offer to the world – something that is unique...
October 20, 2022 -
`
Fitness Classes To Help Motivate You To Workout This Fall
Summertime is usually when a person is the most active. From enjoying bike rides in the neighborhood to going on morning...
October 8, 2022 -
`
How To Enjoy ‘Trigger Foods’ Without Feeling Guilty
It’s hard enough to fight the urge to pull up in a restaurant’s drive-thru and order all those ‘forbidden’ foods. While...
October 8, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login