Does Turkey Really Make You Sleepy? The Thanksgiving Tryptophan Myth
Does Turkey Actually Make You Sleepy After Thanksgiving Dinner?
No, turkey does not make you sleepy. Turkey contains similar amounts of tryptophan as chicken, beef, and cheese - nothing special about its tryptophan content. The real culprit behind post-Thanksgiving fatigue is the massive consumption of high-glycemic carbohydrates like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and desserts that trigger dramatic blood sugar swings.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
This is one of the most persistent nutrition myths, and understanding the real science helps explain why holiday meals affect us so differently than regular dinners. The key insight is that tryptophan from turkey gets diluted by competing amino acids from other proteins, while the carbohydrate overload creates an insulin response that can drop blood sugar below baseline. It’s a perfect storm of overeating, not turkey’s fault.