Health & Medicine
Turkey: Don't Blame This Animal For Your Food Coma On Thanksgiving
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Nov 24, 2015 05:53 PM EST
Too much turkey's been called out as the reason for our afternoon lull on Thanksgiving, but consumption of this bird isn't really to blame, scientists say.
Of course, turkeys do contain L-tryptophan--an essential amino acid and protein building block that makes us tired. But then again, did you know that soybeans actually contain more tryptophan than turkey, according to Kim Sasso, a registered and licensed dietician at Loyal Health University System.
"Turkey doesn't make you sleepy; eating very large quantities of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie makes you sleepy," said Sasso, in a news release. "Turkey does contain tryptophan, but so do yogurt, eggs, fish, cheese and other meats."
Sasso, who regularly counsels clinically obese patients in the Chicago area, feels it's important to be aware of what you're eating and how much during Thanksgiving.
For instance, while she notes that it's important not to skip meals, Sasso also says that's it's incredibly important to be mindful of what you're eating. In other words, it's quality over quantity, of course.
"Three slices of dessert will not taste as good or be as appreciated as three small sampling portions," she says. "Or, skip the crust when eating pie or the big dollop of ice cream or whipped topping to save calories."
Lastly, when you can, it's good to load up on fruits and vegetables, she adds.
As it stands, statistics show that 68.5 percent of all adults are overweight or obese, according to the Food Research and Action Center, while 34.9 percent are clinically obese. Genetics do play a part but diet and exercise also contribute to the problem.
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First Posted: Nov 24, 2015 05:53 PM EST
Too much turkey's been called out as the reason for our afternoon lull on Thanksgiving, but consumption of this bird isn't really to blame, scientists say.
Of course, turkeys do contain L-tryptophan--an essential amino acid and protein building block that makes us tired. But then again, did you know that soybeans actually contain more tryptophan than turkey, according to Kim Sasso, a registered and licensed dietician at Loyal Health University System.
"Turkey doesn't make you sleepy; eating very large quantities of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie makes you sleepy," said Sasso, in a news release. "Turkey does contain tryptophan, but so do yogurt, eggs, fish, cheese and other meats."
Sasso, who regularly counsels clinically obese patients in the Chicago area, feels it's important to be aware of what you're eating and how much during Thanksgiving.
For instance, while she notes that it's important not to skip meals, Sasso also says that's it's incredibly important to be mindful of what you're eating. In other words, it's quality over quantity, of course.
"Three slices of dessert will not taste as good or be as appreciated as three small sampling portions," she says. "Or, skip the crust when eating pie or the big dollop of ice cream or whipped topping to save calories."
Lastly, when you can, it's good to load up on fruits and vegetables, she adds.
As it stands, statistics show that 68.5 percent of all adults are overweight or obese, according to the Food Research and Action Center, while 34.9 percent are clinically obese. Genetics do play a part but diet and exercise also contribute to the problem.
Related Articles
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Linked To Obesity, Depression
Obesity Gene: Boosting Appetite-Controlling Protein May Help
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone