Does turkey actually make you sleepy?

It’s as dependable as parades and football games: on Thanksgiving, you enjoy your family’s traditional feast before settling in for a well-deserved nap. While we could blame the day’s “food coma” on the turkey, it’s more likely the result of overeating.

That is not to say that turkey cannot induce sleep.

“Turkey, which is typically the star of a Thanksgiving meal, is naturally high in tryptophan,” Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist and author of “This is Your Brain on Food,” explained to Health.

What is tryptophan?

Tryptophan, according to WebMD, is a “essential amino acid that plays a role in the production of serotonin, melatonin, niacin, and nicotinamide.”

While tryptophan — and the melatonin it produces — can make us sleepy, it is also important for digestion, growth and repair of tissues, the production of hormones and brain chemicals, and the maintenance of a healthy digestive system.

However, blaming turkey is overly simplistic. After all, tryptophan can be found in a variety of foods that we consume throughout the year, including cheese, chicken, egg whites, fish, milk, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds.

Avoid overeating

Given the prevalence of tryptophan, it makes sense to look for other causes of your post-meal sleepiness. The main cause is overeating, particularly of high-carb side dishes like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and bread. Experts also point out that a few cocktails or beers throughout the afternoon can leave you feeling tired.

“To avoid post-meal drowsiness, it is important not to eat past your body’s fullness,” said Trista Best, RD, LD, a nutritionist based in Georgia. “Don’t stuff yourself to the point of discomfort during the meal.” It is also critical to stay hydrated because this will help with energy.”