**The Art of Enjoying Thanksgiving Without Paying the Price: Expert Tips for a Healthier Feast**
If you've ever felt like your stomach is in a battle with itself after enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving feast, you're not alone. Gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha says that on Thanksgiving Day, her hospital sees patients coming in with food stuck in their throats just hours after dinner – a clear indication of the dangers of overeating and poor digestion.
So, how can you avoid the dreaded post-meal comatose? Pasricha suggests starting your day by getting some light exercise to "prime your GI system" and reduce stress. For those who aren't morning people, she recommends eating a small, balanced meal beforehand to prevent extreme hunger pangs when dinner arrives.
When it comes to building your Thanksgiving plate, Pasricha advises filling at least half of it with vegetables and protein-rich foods first. This will help you feel full sooner and avoid the spike in blood sugar that can lead to digestive issues later on. Save the richer dishes – like sweet potatoes or mac 'n cheese – for last, as a special treat.
And what about the turkey? Pasricha debunks the myth that tryptophan is the culprit behind post-meal drowsiness, suggesting that it's actually the simple carbs and sugary drinks that can make you feel sluggish. As for drinking on Thanksgiving, she recommends avoiding booze before dinner to prevent your stomach from emptying too quickly.
So, how can you enjoy a stress-free – and relatively healthy – Thanksgiving? Pasricha suggests taking a short walk after dinner to help digest food and alleviate bloating. And if you do overindulge, at least try to sit up straight to ease digestion.
In essence, the key to surviving (and even enjoying) Thanksgiving without feeling like you've been hit by a truck is to approach the meal with mindfulness and moderation. By making small tweaks to your pre- and post-meal routines, you can indulge in all the delicious foods you love while minimizing the risks of discomfort and digestive issues.
**5 Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving:**
1. **Eat a light meal beforehand**: Fill up on some protein-rich foods or veggies to prevent extreme hunger pangs.
2. **Prioritize vegetables and protein**: Make at least half of your plate filled with these nutrient-dense foods first.
3. **Save rich dishes for last**: Enjoy those decadent desserts – but in moderation!
4. **Avoid booze before dinner**: Let your food digest slowly and comfortably, rather than relying on a quick buzz to get through the meal.
5. **Take a post-meal walk**: Get some fresh air and help your body digest food with a short stroll around the block.
By incorporating these simple tips into your Thanksgiving routine, you can enjoy a delicious – and relatively stress-free – holiday feast that leaves you feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for days to come.
If you've ever felt like your stomach is in a battle with itself after enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving feast, you're not alone. Gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha says that on Thanksgiving Day, her hospital sees patients coming in with food stuck in their throats just hours after dinner – a clear indication of the dangers of overeating and poor digestion.
So, how can you avoid the dreaded post-meal comatose? Pasricha suggests starting your day by getting some light exercise to "prime your GI system" and reduce stress. For those who aren't morning people, she recommends eating a small, balanced meal beforehand to prevent extreme hunger pangs when dinner arrives.
When it comes to building your Thanksgiving plate, Pasricha advises filling at least half of it with vegetables and protein-rich foods first. This will help you feel full sooner and avoid the spike in blood sugar that can lead to digestive issues later on. Save the richer dishes – like sweet potatoes or mac 'n cheese – for last, as a special treat.
And what about the turkey? Pasricha debunks the myth that tryptophan is the culprit behind post-meal drowsiness, suggesting that it's actually the simple carbs and sugary drinks that can make you feel sluggish. As for drinking on Thanksgiving, she recommends avoiding booze before dinner to prevent your stomach from emptying too quickly.
So, how can you enjoy a stress-free – and relatively healthy – Thanksgiving? Pasricha suggests taking a short walk after dinner to help digest food and alleviate bloating. And if you do overindulge, at least try to sit up straight to ease digestion.
In essence, the key to surviving (and even enjoying) Thanksgiving without feeling like you've been hit by a truck is to approach the meal with mindfulness and moderation. By making small tweaks to your pre- and post-meal routines, you can indulge in all the delicious foods you love while minimizing the risks of discomfort and digestive issues.
**5 Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving:**
1. **Eat a light meal beforehand**: Fill up on some protein-rich foods or veggies to prevent extreme hunger pangs.
2. **Prioritize vegetables and protein**: Make at least half of your plate filled with these nutrient-dense foods first.
3. **Save rich dishes for last**: Enjoy those decadent desserts – but in moderation!
4. **Avoid booze before dinner**: Let your food digest slowly and comfortably, rather than relying on a quick buzz to get through the meal.
5. **Take a post-meal walk**: Get some fresh air and help your body digest food with a short stroll around the block.
By incorporating these simple tips into your Thanksgiving routine, you can enjoy a delicious – and relatively stress-free – holiday feast that leaves you feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for days to come.
. Like, we all know it's easy to get carried away with the tryptophan-filled turkey and pumpkin pie... but honestly, can you blame us? It's Thanksgiving, after all! 
My aunt is super strict about eating small meals before dinner, like a salad or something, just so she doesn't feel too stuffed. And I'm pretty sure that's why she's still kicking at 90 years old 
. On the flip side, I think taking a post-meal walk sounds kinda genius? Maybe it's 'cause I got food poisoning last year from eating a dodgy turkey... but seriously, it can't hurt to get some fresh air and help your body digest, right?
! Did u know that 1 in 5 people experience acid reflux after eating turkey? 
And the worst part is, it's not even the tryptophan that's the culprit... it's those sugary drinks and simple carbs that are gonna knock us out cold 
. 
. And if u think that's bad, just wait till u see this graph showing how much sugar is consumed around Thanksgiving time 
.
or even just some gentle yoga 
it helps prime ur gut n reduces stress. also, make sure 2 eat a small meal b4 dinner so u dont go in2 Thanksgiving w/ extreme hunger pangs 
fill half ur plate w/ veggies & protein first n save the richer stuff 4 last. btw, its not the tryptophan that makes u feel drowsy lol it's those simple carbs n sugary drinks 
just take a walk after dinner 2 help digest food n alleviate bloating.
If I'm being real, I think what really matters on Thanksgiving isn't the food itself, but how we approach it 
. The more we prioritize self-care and healthy habits on the biggest food day of the year, the less likely we are to feel like we've overdone it 
.
but im glad someone shared some practical tips on how to avoid the post-thanksgiving coma 
it's literally the most stressful time of year, just eat what u like but dont go crazy 
. I mean, who doesn't love a good turkey dinner and pumpkin pie? But come on, let's not forget about our stomachs! 
. And seriously, filling up on veggies and protein first? That makes so much sense 
. I'm def gonna try that this year, no more food comas for me 
. And omg, avoiding booze before dinner is a total game-changer 
Thanks for sharing these tips! 
like dr pasricha said fill half ur plate w veggies n protein 1st and save the fancy desserts 4 last 
also dont be afraid 2 take a walk after dinner u feel me? my aunt tried 2 eat it all at once and ended up w/ food comas 
. But seriously, I think it's all about balance. If you love those rich dishes as much as I do, that's okay! Just make sure to pace yourself and take care of your body after dinner 
. And honestly, a little bit of tryptophan ain't gonna hurt nobody 
.
, i remember last yr thanksgiving me & my fam did it n we didn't feel sick afterwards lol anyway i think its all about balance n not overdo it on the turkey n stuff 
dont be afraid to get up n move after dinner too, my aunt did that 1 yr & she was like "ahh im so much better" 
gotta love this "no tryptophan" myth... been debunked already like 5 yrs ago 
still some ppl hold on to it lol. anyway, these tips make sense, getting a light meal in beforehand is def a good idea. also, can't go wrong with prioritizing veggies and protein over carbs & sugars 
but seriously though, have u ever noticed how every year ppl are all about the tryptophan myth? 