(HealthDayNews) -- Popular thinking says that you feel tired after Thanksgiving dinner because of the turkey -- or, more precisely, because of a substance in the turkey called L-tryptophan.
That's not necessarily true, according to The Nemours Foundation.
Turkey does contain a good amount of L-tryptophan, an amino acid that aids in the body's manufacture of serotonin, both of which have a soothing effect.
However, many nutrition experts believe you feel sleepy after your Thanksgiving feast because of all the carbohydrates you ate. Carbs are found in starchy and sugary foods such as breads, yams, potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Drowsiness also might be caused by the increased blood flow needed to help digest your big meal.
To avoid that sleepy feeling, eat smaller portions, drink lots of water, stop eating once you are full, and take a walk afterward to help digest your meal.
