I was first introduced to tryptophan by Mr. Claybaugh, my seventh grade history teacher. He told us about how turkey contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid that can make us sleepy. Mr. Claybaugh also told us that the only cure for overcoming the effects of tryptophan was to eat lots of pumpkin pie.
I don’t know if he was telling the truth or not.
Unfortunately, I haven’t really had a chance to prove it. Like most people at Thanksgiving, I always eat lots of turkey, mashed potatoes, ham, and yams. When dessert time rolls around, there isn’t much room for anything else, so I’ll only eat a slice of pumpkin pie, which probably isn’t enough to defeat the effects of tryptophan.
So before going on my trip to Las Vegas, I decided to find out the truth.
So I went to the national grocery store chain I shop at and looked for turkey. Unfortunately, finding a turkey right before Thanksgiving turned out to be a difficult task, because the store sold out. I thought about it for a few moments and a lightbulb popped into my head.
I walked to the deli counter to see if they had turkey and they did. I asked for a pound of turkey, which I received nicely sliced.
Now I that I had my turkey, all I needed was the pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, finding a pumpkin pie right before Thanksgiving also turned out to be a difficult task. Because it was almost Thanksgiving, I needed to order a pumpkin pie 24 hours in advance.
So instead of buying a pumpkin pie, I decided to pick up the new Jack in the Box Pumpkin Pie Shake, which is made with pumpkin-flavored ice cream seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon. Close enough, right?
Now that I had my turkey and my “pumpkin pie,†the experiment could begin.
I ate the pound of turkey and then I tanked the medium-sized Pumpkin Pie Shake. The shake was really good and it tasted like pumpkin pie. Too bad Jack in the Box is only making these for a limited time.
After finishing off the Pumpkin Pie Shake, I sat in front of the television and watched the Tony Danza Show.
Minutes later I fell asleep.
After I woke up and wiped the drool from my face, I realized that maybe the Pumpkin Pie Shake wasn’t a good substitute for an actual pumpkin pie.
I also realized there are other things that will work much better to combat the effects of tryptophan and the Tony Danza Show. These include coffee, caffeine, and crack.
Item: Jack in the Box Pumpkin Pie Shake
Purchase Price: $2.29 (medium)
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like pumpkin pie. Surprisingly good. Don’t have to worry about pie crust.
Cons: Not a good replacement to overcome effects of tryptophan or the Tony Danza Show.
I never heard of a pumpkin pie shake, but i’ve been existing off of left over pumpkin pie for about a week now, and i’m still sleepy. I think your teacher was lying., but it was worth the experiment for sure!
You almost made a horrible mistake! Tony Danza is actually made up almostentirely of tryptophan! Had you watched more than just a few minutes of his “show” you may have overdosed and needed immediate medical attention. The link between Danza and this compound was discovered when producers took a long hard look at his ratings…and noticed the coorelation between Tony and National Nap Time….
*Sigh* This review doesnt help me much. We dont have Jack in the Box here. 🙁 But maybe you should try your experiement with McDonald’s Pumpkin Pies… they’re like the apple pies, only pumpkin. 🙂
I don’t think anything could possibly be potent enough to keep me awake during the Tony Danza Show.
I have been so curious about this thing, and I needed your rating for the strength to try it. (Because beyond the Frosty, fast-food milkshakes just feel wrong.)
Suzanne – If my history teacher was lying, I wonder what else he could’ve lied about. 1776? Rosa Parks?
Piltdown Man – So I guess Alyssa Milano was the reason I could stay awake during Who’s the Boss.
Aymie – I don’t think I’ll be doing this experiment for awhile. I’ve had too much turkey. Bleh!
Dawn – Come on, you don’t think crack will do it?
JEA – I personally stay away from McDonalds milkshakes. Those really don’t seem right.
Alex – Oooh, how about a Jack in the Box swedish fish, salami, and pickles shake? Yum.
What the… I didn’t know Tony Danza had his own show. Is it Who’s the Boss or like a talk show?
Laurie – Believe it or not, he has his own talk show.
But, the crust is the best part.
I told a German co-worker about tryptophan and he didn’t believe me. He said “but if you buy the turkey from the farmer it doesn’t have that, right?” And I said “no, it’s not like an antibiotic, it’s in the Turkey to begin with”. I’m not sure he believed me or not. Phhhhtthhhph!
ok that was one funny post.. doing the experiment on yourself by eating a pound of turkey.. i’m suddenly reminded of Super Size Me. :-p
how i wish we have jack in the box here in the Philippines so i could try that pumpkin pie shake.. it sounds and looks delicious!