Food Comas are a Thing...

‍When the Thanksgiving feast is over, some people go to bed feeling satisfied, while others spend the rest of the day in recovery from an uncomfortable condition known as a “Thanksgiving Food Coma”. This phenomenon is not a medical condition but it's a real experience shared by many after eating too much at Thanksgiving dinner. That said, if you don’t want to spend your post-Thanksgiving day on the couch with indigestion and the fear of getting out of bed again for the next 48 hours—follow these tips and make sure not to fall into that comatose state after gorging yourself on turkey and stuffing. Keep reading to discover how to prevent a food coma after eating too much Thanksgiving dinner!

Have a balanced meal before the feast

To prevent a food coma at Thanksgiving, start with small portions of healthy foods. You can have a healthy meal before the Thanksgiving feast, but you can also go overboard and eat too much. To prevent yourself from overeating, follow these tips: avoid eating large portions of starchy foods like potatoes and bread, drink a lot of water, and avoid alcohol. If you eat a healthy meal before the Thanksgiving feast, you’ll have less room for unhealthy foods. But, you don’t want to go so light that you feel unsatisfied before sitting down at the table.

Limit fried foods and grains

There are healthier alternatives to stuffing, potatoes, and bread. You can swap out some of these unhealthy foods for healthier options like vegetables, salads, and fruits. Vegetables in particular are a great option for the main course. Broccoli, asparagus, and squash are just a few of the healthy choices available. There are a few healthier alternatives to potatoes. Sweet potatoes, for example, can be swapped in for regular potatoes. If you make the switch, though, you may want to season them differently so they taste a little different than the traditional dish.

Walk it off before you lie down

Not only is walking a great form of exercise, it’s also a great way to get your blood flowing after eating a heavy meal. This will also help to prevent heartburn or indigestion. If you walk before eating, you will be burning calories and will probably eat less. This will prevent you from gaining weight and feeling sluggish after the meal. Walking will also help you to digest your food more quickly. This will prevent you from feeling full and lethargic for the remainder of the day. If you’re not sure where to go for a walk, try exploring your neighborhood or visiting a nearby park.

Bottom line

While Thanksgiving dinner is a delicious meal, it’s easy to go overboard and eat too much. Follow these tips to prevent a food coma after eating too much Thanksgiving dinner: have a healthy meal before the feast, limit fried foods and grains, walk it off before you lie down, and avoid alcohol. You can prevent a food coma after eating too much by eating smaller portions and pacing yourself.