Now, let me preface this blog post by saying that I'm a vegetarian, so when talking about the bird, tofurkey is more my style...BUT since I'm probably the minority this holiday, I'll put aside my meat aversions to talk turkey.
Even back when I did eat meat over 16 years ago, I always remember wanting to snuggle up by the fireplace and pass out. Sound familiar? Pretty much all of us have heard that tryptophan is the main culprit for making us sleepy after a big Thanksgiving meal.
I hate to break it to you dear friends, but according to an article in the Examiner, the amount of tryptophan in turkey is not high enough to have any impact. Shocking, right?
So if the bird isn't making us sleepy, then what the heck is it?
There are a few theories about what's making us want to take a long nap after Thanksgiving:
1. Booze: Alcohol is a depressant, and chances are you're going to have a few cocktails and/or glasses of wine before dinner and also with your meal, so sleepiness is pretty much inevitable.
2. Insulin Levels: If you're anything like me, you skimp on food throughout the day so you can stuff your face that night. (Hey, I may not eat turkey, but put a plate of green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and cranberries in front of me and it. is. on.) When you eat a lot, your body, specifically your pancreas, goes into overdrive and produces a large amount of insulin to handle all that grub. When your body finally comes off the surge of insulin and your blood sugar takes a big dip, then comes, you guessed it, sleepiness.
I'm not saying being sleepy after a big meal is a bad thing. We only do this once a year and for good reason. To gather together with our loved ones and give thanks for our many blessings.
So where ever you are, near or far, enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, and enjoy that snooze after dinner. :)
-Karin Mahoney
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