I am so guilty of this!

[Guest guest]

Table talk ----------- You've probably heard the widely accepted "fact" that a natural chemical in turkey meat called l-tryptophan triggers the drowsiness that so many experience after Thanksgiving dinner. But if you go looking for the details behind this fact, you'll find evidence that both supports it, and debunks it as a myth. So is the truth somewhere in the middle? In a word: No. Turkey does contain l-tryptophan - a sleep-inducing amino acid. But l-tryptophan in turkey meat is not concentrated enough that a couple of slices will make you drowsy. Also, for the l-tryptophan to have any effect, you would have to eat the turkey on an empty stomach. An empty stomach? On Thanksgiving? I don't think so. If you share this information with your loved ones at the dinner table and find that someone

won't be dissuaded from the "turkey = sleepy" myth, you can settle the discussion with this fact: Chicken contains more l-tryptophan than turkey. And yet you never hear anyone say, "Boy, that plate of Buffalo wings made me sleepy." Catching Zs So what is it about Thanksgiving dinner that makes us sleepy? It's actually very simple: It's the carbohydrates - especially the simple carbohydrates. When we eat large portions of simple carbs (such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and a slice of pumpkin pie piled high with whipped cream), most people respond with a blood sugar spike that increases blood flow to the digestive tract. Add a glass or two of wine or some other alcoholic beverage, and you have the perfect Thanksgiving recipe for drowsiness. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Thanksgiving meal as we celebrate all the wonderful (and healthy) things we have to be thankful for. Eat well, drink, and be merry. And

enjoy your nap. To Your Good Health, To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealerts/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy "Get off your ass and take your government back." ~Rocky Ward

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[Guest guest]

I believe you have nailed it here:) As a diabetic, I am very sensitive to

the balance of proteins and carbohydrates in my diet. The medical establishment

has for decades recommended a ratio of proteins to carbs that, unfortunately,

is conducive to the retention of body fat. Their recommended ratio would put

me to sleep every time. So I follow The Zone diet by Dr. Barry Sears, Ph.D.

and try to consume a 3:4 ratio of proteins to carbs. Combined with vitamins,

minerals, herbs, and other supplements, this minimizes both the sleepies and

the shakies.

 

Just MHO:)

 

Grace

 

 

 

In a message dated 11/24/2006 6:45:31 AM Pacific Standard Time,

rachelleward2 writes:

So what is it about Thanksgiving dinner that makes us sleepy? It's actually

very simple: It's the carbohydrates - especially the simple carbohydrates.