The Great Turkey Myth: Why You’re Really Sleepy on Thanksgiving

It won't be long now. Tables all over town will be trimmed with turkey and dressing this Thanksgiving. Have you ever noticed how, after the big meal, everyone seems to want to take a snooze? I know in our house it's a common occurrence.

There's a belief out there that turkey is the main culprit behind the drowsiness. This sleepiness has often been blamed on tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey. However, according to an article from Scientific American, our holiday bird may not be the only culprit.

THE GREAT TURKEY MYTH: WHY YOU'RE REALLY SLEEPY ON THANKSGIVING

Tryptophan is indeed a component of turkey, and it plays a role in producing serotonin, a brain chemical that makes us feel relaxed. Over time serotonin can convert into melatonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate sleep. However, turkey alone doesn't contain much more tryptophan than other meats. The real reason we get sleepy has more to do with the whole Thanksgiving meal.

Imagine your plate piled high with not just turkey, but also dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and maybe a nice slice of pumpkin pie. These foods require a lot of energy to digest, which means more blood is required by your digestive system. When this happens you can feel less energetic. All the carbohydrates raise blood sugar which can also bring on sleepiness.

While turkey might get all the blame for your post-dinner drowsiness, it's actually the entire feast and the timing of the meal that's the culprit. Remember, it's not just the bird, but the whole spread of side dishes.

So next time you find yourself curling up in a cozy spot on the couch after Thanksgiving dinner, remember, it's thanks to the whole meal, not just the turkey.