Turkey is known for its coma-inducing effects. That’s because it’s rich in an amino acid called tryptophan – a precursor to serotonin – which makes us sleepy. Since it’s the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s easy to blame the bird for the sleepiness that follows the annual feast. In reality, however, it is not the only culprit. From boozy drinks to decadent sides and rich desserts, here’s why family members often find themselves yawning, lying on couches, or fighting over spare beds over Thanksgiving dinner—and not just the turkey—when the holiday meal is ready.

5 Factors Other than Turkey That Cause Drowsiness After Thanksgiving

Turkey is just one piece of the “food coma” pie (pun intended). Several other factors contribute to post-Thanksgiving fatigue:

Timing of meals: Thanksgiving is typically served around 3 p.m., when our body clock causes a natural drop in alertness. By late afternoon, our urge to sleep increases, but our alarm signal that keeps us awake hasn’t caught up yet, leading to the phenomenon known as the “3 p.m. slump.”

Alcohol: A glass of wine or a cocktail with your Thanksgiving meal can increase the effect of food coma because alcohol in low to moderate doses is a nervous system depressant. However, it is worth noting that although alcohol initially makes you sleepy, it usually leads to sleep disturbances. According to the National Sleep Foundation, moderate alcohol consumption (2 drinks for men and 1 drink for women) reduces sleep quality by 24%.

Carbohydrate load: From cranberry sauce to mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pie, there’s no shortage of carb-heavy dishes on the Thanksgiving table, and these can exacerbate the food coma phenomenon. Carbohydrates increase insulin levels, allowing more tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier and produce serotonin. Studies suggest that tryptophan peaks around two to four hours after a high-carb meal, which coincides perfectly with the timing of many Thanksgiving naps.

Inactivity: Retreating to the TV room or couch after Thanksgiving dinner is common in many families, but it also makes food comas worse. A cozy spot in a dark room signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep instead of staying awake. On the other hand, taking a walk after Thanksgiving dinner can help reduce insulin levels and serotonin synthesis and improve alertness.

Other tryptophan-rich foods: Turkey isn’t the only tryptophan-rich food on the Thanksgiving table. Cheese, eggs, pumpkin seeds, milk and oats also contain tryptophan and are found in a variety of Thanksgiving dishes such as stuffing, pies, salads, mashed potatoes and fruit chips. These foods, along with turkey and other carbohydrates, can spike serotonin levels and cause sleepiness.

How to avoid the Thanksgiving food coma

It’s not inevitable that you’ll feel super sleepy after eating this holiday meal. A few simple changes to your food, drink, and activity choices can make a big difference without making you feel like you’re missing out:

• Eat throughout the day: One of the biggest mistakes people make is saving calories for the big meal. This usually leads to overeating and the urge to take a nap after eating. Instead, try to eat small meals/snacks throughout the day so you don’t feel famished by dinner time.

• Balance your plate: Aim for 50% non-starchy vegetables, 25% lean protein, and 25% carbohydrates on your Thanksgiving plate instead of relying heavily on sleep-inducing turkey and carbohydrate-rich foods.

• Be careful with alcohol: Limit yourself to 2 or fewer drinks for men or 1 drink or less for women, and drink slowly to minimize the drowsiness associated with alcohol.

• Go for a walk after eating: A little fresh air after eating can increase alertness and help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, which contribute to the food coma phenomenon.

• Hydrate: Don’t forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. Mild dehydration can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness, and alcohol increases fluid loss.

Edwina Clark is a trained nutritionist.