What Does a Thanksgiving Feast Actually Do to Your Body?

We’ve all been there before. It’s Thanksgiving Day, and after preparing and consuming an enormous feast, we suddenly feel… not so great. Maybe it’s the tryptophan in the turkey making us drowsy, or maybe it’s the fact that we just ate enough food to feed an army. Whatever the reason, we often find ourselves feeling less than stellar after indulging in a holiday feast. 

But what does all of that food actually do to our bodies? Is overeating on Thanksgiving really as bad as we think? Let’s take a look at the short- and long-term effects of consuming a traditional Thanksgiving feast, as well as some tips on how to enjoy the holiday without wrecking your health.

Short Term Effects

Let’s start with the most immediate effects of eating a large meal. Although you may not feel it right away, that full feeling you get after eating is caused by actual physical changes in your body. When you eat more food than your stomach can comfortably hold, your digestive system goes into overdrive to process all of the extra food. This can lead to indigestion, bloating, and even diarrhea. 

In addition to digestive issues, overeating can also cause problems with blood sugar levels. When you consume large amounts of carbohydrates and fat, your pancreas releases insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels. If you eat too much, your blood sugar can drop sharply, leading to feelings of weakness, shakiness, and fatigue. 

Long Term Effects

Overeating on one occasion probably won’t have lasting effects on your health. However, if you make a habit of consuming large meals regularly, you could be putting yourself at risk for serious health problems down the road. These include obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. 

Tips

If you’re worried about the effects of overeating this Thanksgiving, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage.

First, make sure to eat breakfast on Thanksgiving Day. A healthy breakfast will help prevent overeating later in the day by jumpstarting your metabolism and curbing your appetite.

Second, be mindful of your food choices during the Thanksgiving meal. Opt for lean protein sources like white meat turkey or tofu stuffing instead of high-fat dishes like sausage stuffing or fried turkey. And fill up on fiber-rich sides like roasted vegetables or sweet potatoes instead of higher-calorie options like creamy mashed potatoes or green bean casserole loaded with French fried onions. 

Finally, don’t forget to move! Even a short walk around the block after dinner can help improve digestion and boost your mood by getting some fresh air and vitamin D from the sun (if you’re lucky enough to live in a sunny climate). So go ahead and enjoy that extra slice of pumpkin pie just be sure to balance it out with some healthy choices and some physical activity afterward! 

Final Thoughts:

All things considered, is overeating on Thanksgiving really that bad for you? It depends. Eating an extra slice of pumpkin pie is unlikely to have lasting effects on your health. However, if you make a habit of dining like it’s Thanksgiving every day, you could be putting yourself at risk for developing obesity or other chronic health conditions down the road.  So, enjoy your holiday feast and just be sure to balance it out with some healthy choices and physical activity afterward! And whatever you do, don’t forget to have fun! After all, that’s what Thanksgiving is all about.