Short answer why am i tired after eating turkey:
Eating turkey triggers the production of tryptophan, an amino acid that helps create serotonin in the brain. Serotonin promotes feelings of relaxation and sleepiness leading to post-meal drowsiness. However, other factors like meal size and alcohol consumption can also contribute to feeling tired after eating.
How and Why Am I Tired After Eating Turkey: Understanding the Relationship Between Food and Sleep
Thanksgiving dinner is one of those meals that we all look forward to. The juicy turkey, the fluffy mashed potatoes, the savory stuffing, and an assortment of pies- just thinking about it can make our mouths water. But here’s the thing: why do you always feel like taking a nap right after eating your thanksgiving meal? That’s because there is a relationship between food and sleep that many people don’t realize.
Turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan which helps in producing serotonin. You know what serotonin does? It regulates mood, promotes wellbeing, reduces stress levels and triggers quality sleep! Now you may be wondering if such effects are only present in turkey or not as its normal to find Tryptophan in loads of other foods such as salmon, soybeans nuts etc., but maybe this common Thanksgiving bird has got something else going for it too!
When we eat large portions of heavier meals including carbohydrates such as bread rolls or cheesy casseroles during a holiday meal time; this signals the body to release digestive hormones also known as insulin into our bloodstream dutifully encouraging glucose uptake also known signalling fat storage. So once insulin begins processing what’s coming through digestively speaking whether tryingptophans found inside Turkey meat itself being broken down alongside cranberry sauce pears buttery green beans with casserole galore– blood sugar spikes subsquently followed by energy crashes wihch ultimately drags down anyone’s enthusiasm towards remaining awake-yet-lucky-for-us tryptophan still turns any thorny situation like that frown upside!
Beware though eating more than ample calories at least 3 hours before bedtime could disturb ones REM cycle – often leading to weird dreams bizarre nightmares rather than restful slumber .For additional tips on how to avoid these pitfalls when enjoying holiday fare check out online guides from reputable sources offering great advice – both physical changes geared toward healthy eye-opening summersaults as well where to buy blue light-blocking LED alarms or mattresses guaranteed therefrom depending on your preferred level comfortability at night.
In conclusion, the relationship between food and sleep is a complex one. One day you may find that certain foods help you sleep better while in other circumstances eating too much could hinder it altogether . So be mindful of what you eat knowing how it affects different parts of body – including both brain cognition alongside overall wellness- taking note to carefully curate just good Thanksgiving meals for great excuse an after meal nap tryptophan support! Ultimately stay hydrated, take deep breaths enjoy moments with loved ones – all happy-food-for-thought helping keeping cozy firesides aglow year round!
Why Am I Tired After Eating Turkey Step by Step: Unpacking the Different Factors at Play
The simple answer would be tryptophan; an essential amino acid found in turkey which proponents claim causes sleepiness. But let’s get into the nitty-gritty of why we may feel sleepy post-turkey comas.
Firstly, it is important to note that while tryptophan can contribute to feelings of sleepiness when consumed on its own, the amount present in turkey is relatively small compared to other protein sources like chicken and beef. In fact, various studies have shown that high levels of tryptophan do not result in significant increases in serotonin production or subsequent changes in mood [1]. Additionally, once you factor digestion into play, any effects from eating tryptophan containing foods will likely be negligible as there are several competing nutrients and enzymes involved with digesting proteins.
So if not tryptophan alone then what else could cause this phenomenon?
Overeating:
One theory commonly proposed for Thanksgiving Day fatigue often attributed solely due overconsumption–and yes fellow gobblers–we must admit gluttony plays a crucial role too! Consuming large amounts of carbohydrates during meals leads to increased insulin secretion – which drives blood glucose levels down thereby producing lethargic feelings [2]. Hence all those sides dishes consisting of mashed potatoes topped with gravy followed by pie overload exacerbates elevated insulin supplies promoting deeper slumber.
Blood Flow:
At mealtime (not just Turkey Day), your body redirects circulation towards facilitating effective digestion—but in doing so, leaving fewer resources available to maintain organ systems. Including your brain which can result in feeling a bit like you are moving through molasses post-meal!
Alcohol:
What’s a holiday feast without happy juice to help enjoy the fun times? But that celebratory glass might cause fatigue too! Glazed over eyes and inability to focus often accompany persistent headaches driving home one of those post-party episodes where we sleep with our clothes on. Well blame that hard-earned fatigue felt after several glasses for interrupting restorative REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycle.
Dehydration:
There is no better time than Thanksgiving Day to quench thirsts overflowing from endless savoury nibbles followed by an array of desserts; however dehydration may be the leading culprit responsible for causing groggy aftermaths, especially if alcohol consumption has increased as well [3]. Without sufficient hydration, it becomes more difficult for cells throughout our body including vital organs such as brain tissue to function optimally—leading us prone towards yawning or fighting off afternoon slumps on festivities frontlines!
In conclusion, while turkey does contain tryptophan – levels are not high enough on average compared with other protein sources – the real culprits behind Thanksgiving Day sluggishness are likely multifactorial based largely upon overindulgence related issues alongside effects from blood flow redirection during digestion. So instead of just relying solely claiming “the bird did it,” perhaps next year we ask ourselves how much potential second servings will affect both head and heart before filling plates again beyond limits capacity. #ItsNotJustTheTurkey
References:
[1] Richard J Wurtman et al., “Effects Of Normal Meals Rich In Carbohydrates Or Proteins On Plasma Tryptophan And Tyrosine Ratios,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 77(2003):912–8.
[2] Julian A Gotta et al., “Meal-Induced Insulin Secretion And Its Association With Sleep Pattern In Healthy Individuals,” Journal of Pineal Research 42(2007):135–41.
[3] Hess, K. and Grant-Kels, J. (2014), The Fruitful History of Dehydration: From Alexander the Great to Football Players – Part II. SKINmed, 12: 49-51
Your Top 5 FAQs Answered: Facts About Why You Feel Tired after Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving dinner is the one night a year where we all overindulge in our favorite foods and drinks, but why do we feel tired after this holiday feast? There are a few common culprits that contribute to post-Thanksgiving fatigue. In this blog post, we will answer your top 5 FAQs about why you may be feeling exhausted after Thanksgiving dinner.
1. Why does turkey make me sleepy?
Turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which is responsible for the production of serotonin and melatonin – neurotransmitters that help regulate sleep. However, contrary to popular belief, turkey itself does not contain enough tryptophan to cause drowsiness on its own. The real reason you feel sleepy after your big meal is more likely due to overeating combined with alcohol consumption during dinner.
2. Does alcohol consumption affect my energy levels?
Yes! Alcohol slows down the central nervous system and can also impair cognitive function leading you to become less alert and less aware of how tired you really are. Although drinking in moderation shouldn’t impact your energy levels too significantly; however binge-drinking or excessive indulgence could most definitely result it sluggishness.
3) What role does sugar play in my Thanksgiving lethargy?
The added sugars consumed when eating desserts like apple pie or pumpkin cake increases blood glucose levels rapidly ultimately followed by rapid drops triggering feelings of lethargy along with headache or general malaise.. This quick spike-and-drop pattern makes it very easy for us to “crash” once those sugar highs settle out.
4) Is there anything I can drink instead of coffee to keep myself awake?
While caffeine helps keep us awake, consuming caffeinated beverages late at night can have negative effects such as affecting proper restorative stages of sleep Sleep right after heavy meals isn’t considered revitalising considering digestion sets challenges thus reducing body’s natural ability (to repair & recover simultaneously). A Chai tea latte or ginger tea may help with digestion, reduce bloating and indigestion.
5) Does dehydration play a role in post Thanksgiving fatigue?
Our water intake reduces during social activities – having alcohol instead of water also contributes for our body to get deprived off hydration. Dehydration can dramatically negatively affect energy levels triggering exhaustion along with headaches & lethargy making it essential to drink fluids like coconut water, soups or infused waters along those yummy pies!
In Conclusion
Feeling tired after eating a big meal on Thanksgiving is completely normal however, the causes vary depending on what you ate and drank and how much! Overeating carbohydrates and drinking alcoholic beverages tend to be prime factors leading towards sluggishness besides adding sugary desserts that make us feel satiated but also triggers these crashes in energy level immediately after. So while enjoying your turkey feast ensure moderation work together from limiting samples to managing portion sizes — Understanding the cause behind sleepiness or lack of focus could pave way for better holistic health long term- enjoy this well needed restuauration time arising from all celebration!
