Question

Is it urban legend that turkey makes you tired? Or is this fact?

Answer

Eating the large quantities of food typically consumed at a Thanksgiving dinner is what probably makes you feel tired. The amino acid tryptophan, which is found in somewhat greater amounts in turkey protein than in other protein sources, does play a role in helping the body produce serotonin, a somnambulant brain chemical. However, one would have to eat quite a bit of turkey to get significant amounts of tryptophan, plus the (sleep) effect would be greatest on an empty stomach not a full one.

Q

With finals rapidly approaching, what type of food is the best "brain food" for studying?

A

Just like you can't "cram" for many exams it isn't possible to switch your brain into high gear at the drop of a hat. In general, to improve brain function you should avoid junk food (probably the very thing most people turn to when stressed out about tests). Eating a high-protein breakfast, such as eggs, is always a good way to start the day. Eggs are rich in choline, which your body uses to manufacture acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. Other high protein foods, such as fish, are also reported to be good for proper brain function, probably because they contain the highly touted omega-3 fatty acids. Making sure you eat proper meals is also important (don't skip meals and then eat an entire bag of Doritos!).

Q

At Thanksgiving, what foods are the best to "pig out" on, and what are the best to stay away from?

A

Thanksgiving dinner comes once a year so I wouldn't worry too much about the health implications of a single repast. No one meal is going to do you in. It is more important that one's regular eating habits include lots of vegetables (especially the yellow, orange and red ones which are high in beta-carotene and other antioxidants) and go easy on the foods high in carbohydrates and fat (potatoes and gravy, desserts). Moderation is the key in my book. Eat small portions of all the things you like, but don't go overboard.

Q

As a cook, what would you say is the hardest thing to make?

A

If you are referring to the traditional Thanksgiving dinner I would say that the most challenging part of the preparation would be cooking the turkey just right and getting the mashed potatoes to have the correct consistency. Having blood squirt out of the turkey while you are carving it can be somewhat off-putting. Likewise, mashed potatoes that could be used to put up wallpaper are less than desirable. Once you understand the basic principles of cooking and baking, and are willing to put in the time, no one dish stands out as being particularly difficult. By the way, you should add the butter (or other fat) to the potatoes first before you mash them by hand. The butter coats the starchy fragments so that when you add milk and mix more vigorously you don't create a paste.

Q

The most important question ... Why does nobody enjoy the yams with marshmallows on top?

A

For one thing, few people eat real yams. These are from Africa and are typically very large tuberous vegetables. We actually all eat some variety of sweet potatoes (though the supermarkets like to call them yams anyway). If you put enough butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows on lima beans, kids will eat those too. It's an excuse to have another dessert with your meal. Like I always say, "life is short, eat dessert first."