Feeling sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner is normal and usually comes from a mix of overeating, lots of carbs, possible alcohol, and general holiday fatigue, not just the turkey.
Main reasons you feel tired
- Big portions: Digesting a very large meal takes a lot of energy, so more blood goes to your gut and less to your brain, which can make you feel sluggish and ready for a nap.
- Carb-heavy foods: Stuffing, potatoes, rolls, pies, and sweets cause a quick spike in blood sugar followed by a crash, which often feels like sudden tiredness.
- Turkey and tryptophan: Turkey does contain tryptophan, an amino acid involved in making serotonin and melatonin, but the amount you eat at dinner is only a small part of why you feel sleepy compared with the carbs and total calories.
- Alcohol: Wine, beer, or cocktails act as a sedative on your nervous system and can add to that drowsy, heavy feeling after a big meal.
- Stress and schedule: Cooking, traveling, socializing, and possibly not sleeping great the night before all build up, so once you finally sit down and eat a huge meal, your body “crashes.”
Simple ways to feel less sleepy
- Eat a bit less at once: Make a reasonable plate, wait 15–20 minutes, and only go back for more if you’re truly still hungry.
- Balance your plate: Add protein, veggies, and some healthy fats instead of loading only on breads, potatoes, and desserts to reduce the blood sugar spike and crash.
- Go easy on alcohol: Limiting drinks or spacing them out with water can cut down on drowsiness.
- Move after eating: A short walk or light activity after the meal helps digestion and can keep you from sinking straight into a “food coma.”
