Typical Thanksgiving Calories

BenderFitness
BenderFitness Posts: 349
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
I just read an article that said the typical amount of calories consumed in a Thanksgiving meal is 3000! I knew it was high, but that's pretty staggering. Especially considering that I do two Thanksgiving meals (in-laws and my family.)

I have some healthy dessert/appetizer recipes that I am preparing, and my mom always makes tons of different vegetables, but I was glad to know just how crazy indulgences can be on this day. It makes me feel a bit more prepared.

I thought I would share so everyone else knows too. :)

Replies

  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Very nice!
    Im sure I put away more on turkey day. Mmmm pie
  • 0PhAtDaDdY
    0PhAtDaDdY Posts: 569 Member
    And we wonder why America is Fat.... Thanks for sharing.....
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Someone else said the average was 4500. I don't know what the correct number is (or if it's possible to get an accurate number) but I know I couldn't eat that much!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    And we wonder why America is Fat.... Thanks for sharing.....
    Hint: it's not because of one holiday.
  • drog2323
    drog2323 Posts: 1,343 Member
    i wonder what the breakdown is...I have to think 1,000 is dessert!

    can't' go too wrong with Turkey..and then easy on the on the fatty stuff.
  • Kany
    Kany Posts: 336
    There was this website that you can calculate the thanksgiving calories. Check it out.


    http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm
  • JessieNeutronGirlGenius
    JessieNeutronGirlGenius Posts: 268
    I think my plan for thanksgiving is to have fist size portions of meat and starches. And more vegetables. Anyone else?
  • drog2323
    drog2323 Posts: 1,343 Member
    And we wonder why America is Fat.... Thanks for sharing.....
    Hint: it's not because of one holiday.

    agreed! If I was american...I would be letting my hair down tomorrow and not logging!
  • wrevhn
    wrevhn Posts: 864 Member
    I just read an article that said the typical amount of calories consumed in a Thanksgiving meal is 3000! I knew it was high, but that's pretty staggering. Especially considering that I do two Thanksgiving meals (in-laws and my family.)

    I have some healthy dessert/appetizer recipes that I am preparing, and my mom always makes tons of different vegetables, but I was glad to know just how crazy indulgences can be on this day. It makes me feel a bit more prepared.

    I thought I would share so everyone else knows too. :)


    and ppl wonder why i can't afford thanksgiving cals so close to the upcoming ball. with that many cals i'd never fit in my gown. i had no idea.

    i know how you feel, i can end up celebrating 3 of each holiday. lol

    i'd like tp read the article if you still have it? i'm very interested in this.
  • kahlee2000
    kahlee2000 Posts: 77
    I have already worked out my menu for myself tomorrow -- and I have managed to get the calories down to 700. And that is only because I will allow myself one piece of pie -- since it is a holiday. ;)
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    I have already worked out my menu for myself tomorrow -- and I have managed to get the calories down to 700. And that is only because I will allow myself one piece of pie -- since it is a holiday. ;)
    My typical dinner every day is 800 calories.
  • 0PhAtDaDdY
    0PhAtDaDdY Posts: 569 Member
    And we wonder why America is Fat.... Thanks for sharing.....
    Hint: it's not because of one holiday.

    So true every day is a Holiday...
  • horror_hamster
    horror_hamster Posts: 278
    And we wonder why America is Fat.... Thanks for sharing.....

    hahaha I don't think anyone is wondering anymore. just look at us! :-D
  • Navallez
    Navallez Posts: 433 Member
    I think its the desserts and all that butter going into the mashed potatoes!! I think if we stay away from the bread and dessert and focus on portion control we should be ok.... I love turkey and ham and funny thing is that my husbands family celebrate Thanksgiving but with a potluck..which would be just fine and dandy if they would actually have the traditional stuff we eat on Thanksgiving! No turkey no ham no mashed potatoes no stuffing...they bring enchiladas and spaghetti and chicken and rice and I hate it!! They said well we are Mexican...so am I! In fact I lived right on the border with Mexico for more than 25 yrs and everybody made Turkey...sorry had to vent.:laugh:
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    I plan on enjoying the entire feast but with portion control - AND - plan a day or two ahead and after to accomdate the extra calories. (We have ours on Saturday this year due to too many folks in the f amily having to work on Thursday).
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    I think its the desserts and all that butter going into the mashed potatoes!! I think if we stay away from the bread and dessert and focus on portion control we should be ok.... I love turkey and ham and funny thing is that my husbands family celebrate Thanksgiving but with a potluck..which would be just fine and dandy if they would actually have the traditional stuff we eat on Thanksgiving! No turkey no ham no mashed potatoes no stuffing...they bring enchiladas and spaghetti and chicken and rice and I hate it!! They said well we are Mexican...so am I! In fact I lived right on the border with Mexico for more than 25 yrs and everybody made Turkey...sorry had to vent.:laugh:

    Bring your favorite traditional dish (or two) and enjoy.
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    OH YEAH and dont' forget to BEWARE of the pre-Turkey dinner snacking ;-)

    http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-cook-calories-clt1111?gt1=47073#fbIndex1
  • sophjakesmom
    sophjakesmom Posts: 904 Member
    It really doesn't matter what the "typical" thanksgiving calorie amount is. What matters is what our calorie count will be. I know if I ate 3000 calories in a day, I would be absolutely miserable. My plan is to enjoy those things I don't normal have, but with in reason. Yes, I will have a piece of the pumpkin cheese cake I am making, but I do not need to eat the whole pie!!!!

    Happy thanksgiving all!!:drinker:
  • jwhit31
    jwhit31 Posts: 450 Member
    There was this website that you can calculate the thanksgiving calories. Check it out.


    http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm

    Dang, I just did a quick check and I'm close to 900 cals. Good reminder of why I NEED to run the 10k tomorrow. That run alone will cover all of my dinner calories so I can have a second piece of pie! :laugh:
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    And we wonder why America is Fat.... Thanks for sharing.....
    Hint: it's not because of one holiday.

    completely agree ^^ I go all out on the holidays and im not fat.
    Just don't make it a whole season and you are fine lol
  • Shanna_Inc86
    Shanna_Inc86 Posts: 781 Member
    I've already planned out my meal in my head. Thankfully the turkey and ham gross me out, yea I'm weird, so I"m making a venison steak tonight and re-heating it tomorrow for myself.

    A lot of the foods for thanksgiving gag me so its not difficult....the pies might be a problem for me though so I might buy my own lil individual dessert that's healthier
  • AmandaR321
    AmandaR321 Posts: 68 Member
    I have worked mine out for a reasonable amount: 6oz turkery (240 cals), 1/2 cup stuffing (150 cals), 1 cup green bean casserole (120 cals), 1/4 cup gravy (30 cals), 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (100 cals). So for my meal I'm looking at 640 cals. Then 1 cup of cobbler is 540 cals. I haven't decided if I'm going to partake there yet, depends on how the rest of the day goes.
  • kahlee2000
    kahlee2000 Posts: 77
    I have already worked out my menu for myself tomorrow -- and I have managed to get the calories down to 700. And that is only because I will allow myself one piece of pie -- since it is a holiday. ;)
    My typical dinner every day is 800 calories.

    I try to keep my meals at 4 meals of 300 calories each spread out over the day.
  • editz01
    editz01 Posts: 6
    holy cow! that's a lot. Then there's left overs. ....I will make sure I keep an eye on my intake. Thanks for the info!
  • BenderFitness
    BenderFitness Posts: 349
    There was this website that you can calculate the thanksgiving calories. Check it out.


    http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm

    Thanks! My Thanksgiving has a lot of foods that aren't on that list, but it makes it easy to see why the calories add up so quickly.
  • BenderFitness
    BenderFitness Posts: 349
    and ppl wonder why i can't afford thanksgiving cals so close to the upcoming ball. with that many cals i'd never fit in my gown. i had no idea.

    i know how you feel, i can end up celebrating 3 of each holiday. lol

    i'd like tp read the article if you still have it? i'm very interested in this.

    http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/how-many-calories-do-you-really-eat-thanksgiving
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    There was this website that you can calculate the thanksgiving calories. Check it out.

    http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm
    I'm a Brit going to a Thanksgiving dinner and I used this calculator to give me an estimate of 1655 calories. It has a serious flaw though - you can only log one glass of wine! :laugh:
  • ADobs
    ADobs Posts: 160 Member
    That is a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, it's only one day, or two. One day of indulgence or two days won't throw your weight/diet off. What does is when people do it for a month straight or a week straight of bad eating. Just eat whatever you want and work out extra that day (if you’re worried about it), the day before and the day after and it’s fine. I just eat normally the day of a huge meal and make sure I eat before the meal so as to not go crazy and kill myself and then I just eat whatever I want but my portions are a lot smaller as opposed to going hungry. I also use this day as my “free” day where I eat whatever I want and try and go over my calories (on purpose). I somewhat follow the Spike lifestyle.
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