Thanksgiving is the single day of the year notorious for eating until the heart’s content, but the damage that consuming the highly fattening, calorie-laden meal inflicts on a waistline could make any pair of skinny jeans burst at the seams.
The American Council on Exercise reports that the average Thanksgiving meal has 3,000 calories, not counting all of the snacks and other meals eaten throughout the day. In total, about 4,500 calories are consumed on Turkey Day alone. With a pound of fat equaling 3,500 calories, it’s easy to say most people walk away from the table at least a pound heavier.
What’s more, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found the standard weight gain for Americans during the holiday season is 1 pound. The problem is, that pound is never lost. A pound is accumulated every year during the holiday season over a lifetime. Luckily, there are several ways to evade holiday weight gain.
For starters, avoid drinking too many cocktails. It is the season to be merry, but alcoholic beverages can have hundreds of calories in one serving. Eggnog has anywhere from 200 to 400 calories in just one cup.
“If your family serves wine during Thanksgiving dinner, try to limit yourself to one glass,” John Petnuch, a senior majoring in kinesiology, said. “A few glasses add up to hundreds of calories. Same with other types of alcohol.”
Staying active is also important when trying to avoid holiday weight gain. Staying active compensates for the extra calories consumed. Try going for a walk after dinner. Jordan Thompson, a senior majoring in political science, shared his secret for not gaining weight over Thanksgiving, while managing to eat everything he wants.
“I eat all I want during Thanksgiving, usually multiple helpings,” Thompson said. “This year, I’m staying in shape by working out at Crossfit Innovate and running with my two dogs afterward. I normally watch what I eat to stay healthy, but if you perpetually have a good combination of cardio and weight training, I feel you’ll be fine to eat as much as you want.”
Something else to consider before delving into the turkey is portions. One quarter of the plate should contain a protein, another quarter carbohydrates; dedicate the remaining half to fresh veggies. To get a better idea on the appropriate serving size for each type of food, go to WebMD and build a plate. The site shows how much of each food to eat and provides comparative images to measure servings.
So instead of busting out the pants with an elastic band or making the etiquette faux pas of unbuttoning your pants at the table, apply these tricks to Thanksgiving celebrations and dodge the hassle of dieting to make up for one day of feasting. Remember, moderation is key, but don’t forget to enjoy the meal.
