Thanksgiving Myth Busted: Why You Feel Tired After the Big Meal
Every Thanksgiving, the same conversation shows up at the dinner table: “It’s the turkey that makes you sleepy. Must be all that tryptophan.”
It sounds scientific, and it’s been passed around for decades — but it’s not the real reason you find yourself half-dozing on the couch while football plays in the background.
Let’s unpack this holiday myth and uncover what’s really behind that post-feast fatigue.
The Tryptophan Myth
Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin, both of which are linked to sleep regulation. Turkey does contain tryptophan, but here’s the twist: it’s not special in that regard.
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Chicken, beef, cheese, tofu, eggs, and nuts all contain similar (and in many cases, higher) amounts of tryptophan when compared to Turkey.
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If turkey truly packed a knockout punch, you’d feel drowsy after every omelet, sandwich, or charcuterie board.
In other words, blaming turkey alone oversimplifies what’s really happening.
The Real Culprit: The Feast Itself
Thanksgiving is rarely a “normal” meal — it’s a grand event where portion sizes, food variety, and indulgence are part of the tradition. That combination changes how your body feels afterward.
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Carb overload – Mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pie all add up to a big dose of carbohydrates. Carbs trigger insulin release, which can make tryptophan more available to the brain. That might play a role in sleepiness — but it’s the overall meal, not the turkey alone.
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Digestive demand – A large meal shifts blood flow toward your digestive system, making you feel heavy or sluggish. Your body is literally prioritizing digestion over alertness. Rest assured, this is totally normal, this is where the popular phrase “rest and digest” comes from!
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Fats and richness – Your body takes twice as long to break down fats when compared to carbs and proteins. Gravy, buttery dishes, and desserts add extra digestive work, which can leave you feeling even more weighed down.
Together, this creates that classic “I need to unbutton my pants and lie down” moment.
Timing and Tradition
Food isn’t the only factor. By the time you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, your day may already have included:
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A morning Turkey Trot or brisk walk.
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Hours of cooking, cleaning, or hosting.
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Socializing with friends and family (which can be draining in its own right).
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Perhaps a drink or two with appetizers.
Pile a large, carb-heavy meal on top of all that activity, and it’s no surprise your body waves the white flag.
Putting It All Together
Feeling tired after Thanksgiving dinner is less about a single food and more about the whole experience:
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A large, carb-heavy, rich meal.
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The body shifting energy toward digestion.
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A long day of activity, preparation, and social interaction.
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Possibly, the effects of alcohol.
When combined, it’s a recipe for drowsiness, no turkey scapegoat required.
The Bottom Line
Turkey has been unfairly framed as the sleep-inducing villain of Thanksgiving. The truth? It’s the feast as a whole, the carbs, the portions, the wine, and the pace of the day, that leaves you eyeing the couch.
So the next time someone blames tryptophan, you’ll know the real story: the nap belongs to the meal, the tradition, and the celebration — not just the bird.
