The One Thanksgiving Side You Should Never Eat If You Want To Lose Weight, Experts Say (2024)

FAQs

What is one theory as to why you get so tired after eating your Thanksgiving meal? ›

One theory as to why you get tired after eating a Thanksgiving meal is because turkey contains tryptophan, which can be used to promote sleep. Name two things that the body uses tryptophan for. The body uses tryptophan to make serotonin and niacin.

The reality is, you're probably not consuming that many calories—and even if you did, “consuming more than the needed amount of calories in one day due to a holiday meal will not negatively impact your health in any way,” says Kage.

"It is absolutely no big deal," she says. "I can promise one day of more indulgent eating is not going to result in lasting weight gain (or) derail any progress that you've made." There are, however, unhealthy behaviors that are common around this time of year that may fall into the category of disordered eating.

Don't Get Stuffed. Americans take in 3,000 to 4,500 calories at their Thanksgiving celebrations, according to estimates by the Calorie Control Council.

Turkey meat contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the body needs to make Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and serotonin, a hormone that helps you relax and—yes, makes you sleepy. But turkey has 250 to 310 milligrams of tryptophan in a 3-ounce serving—a little less than chicken.

Many nuts and seeds contain tryptophan. Those highest in it include pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, black walnuts, flax seeds, cashews, pistachios, and peanuts.

Worst: Sausage Stuffing

You may not be shocked to hear that sausage stuffing isn't the best choice. It's often made with fatty processed meat, butter or margarine, and refined bread or rice. It's a high-calorie food that packs a load of fat, carbs, and nitrates, which are cancer-causing.

White turkey meat, plain vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, defatted gravy, and pumpkin pie tend to be the best bets because they are lower in fat and calories. No Seconds: If you eat slowly and drink plenty of water with your meal, you shouldn't feel the need to go for seconds.

Holiday weight gain isn't all about celebrating, says Badaracco. “There are lots of factors that can affect weight gain this time of year: sleep cycles, stress, less physical activity, seasonal depression, and more alcohol consumption,” she says.

The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.

What not to ask at Thanksgiving? ›

Finances and Jobs

This is why many wish to keep this subject private. Not only can talking about finances or the lack of money can lead to heated arguments, but it leads to competition as well. You do not need to be arguing about who has the better job and who makes more money.

The average person can lose about half the weight they gained in the first month or so, but the path back to baseline will last you until about May.

At Thanksgiving, there's always plenty of food around. But that's not the only reason people tend to stuff themselves as much as the turkey. The main reason that people eat so much on this holiday is that they are out of their normal routine. When the routine goes out the window, anything goes.

The average American will consume a hefty 3,000 calories on Thanksgiving -- for dinner alone. Drinks, dessert and appetizers can bring the total calorie count to 4,500, according to the Calorie Control Council, an industry group.

Turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, to the point that Thanksgiving is sometimes colloquially called "Turkey Day".

Many people blame the main character of the traditional Thanksgiving meal — turkey — as the culprit behind the post-meal sleepiness. Turkey contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid linked to the production of neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin, which can induce feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.

Blood flow to the small intestine “dramatically increases” after a person eats, says Dr. Tomonori Kishino, a professor of health science at Japan's Kyorin University. And as blood is pumped into the gut to fuel digestion, a corresponding drop in blood flow to the brain could trigger feelings of sleepiness, he says.

Turkey contains tryptophan, which plays a role in sleep. The amount, however, is not enough to make a you fall asleep. The drowsiness after a Thanksgiving meal is more likely be due to eating a lot of high-fat and high-sugar foods. Monitor how much you eat and drink to avoid post-meal drowsiness.

“Oftentimes, when you're eating a meal rich in carbohydrates and protein, you may feel sleepier because you have an uptake of tryptophan from the protein and then an increase of serotonin,” explains Zumpano. Eating also causes your blood sugar levels to rise, which can lead to a decrease in energy.