Americans nationwide will enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings and will likely feel tired afterward. But is it possible to avoid that feeling?
While most have blamed the sudden post-meal tiredness on turkey, or more specifically tryptophan in turkey, experts have explained why that isn’t the entire story.
Other habits, like overeating, drinking, and your body increasing blood flow to your stomach, also contribute to drowsiness, according to registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, who wrote a blog post for Cleveland Clinic on the topic.
Whether you want to stay up to watch the football game or snap early Black Friday deals in person, here’s how to avoid drowsiness after Thanksgiving dinner.
- Eat smaller portions
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Slow down while eating
- Once you are full, stop eating
- Talk a walk after dinner
- Get a good night’s rest before Thanksgiving
If feeling drowsy is a part of Thanksgiving you don’t like, Zumpano offered a few words of encouragement.
“If it’s a part of Thanksgiving that you don’t particularly enjoy, know that you can change the outcome,” Zumpano wrote. “You can take steps like watching how much you eat and drink, exercising and getting enough sleep beforehand.”