How Many Calories Are in Your Thanksgiving Dinner?
We heard the average gluttonous American will consume some 4,500 calories this Thanksgiving Day, according to the Calorie Control Council. However, that statistic may be a bit exaggerated—unless your idea of a holiday feast is about 16 slices of pepperoni pizza with large soda chaser, that is.
In all actuality, even with a heaping plate full of turkey, sausage stuffing, dinner rolls and mashed potatoes, followed by a generous portion of pumpkin pie with whipped cream, the average traditional Thanksgiving dinner only comes to about 2,500 calories. And while you are almost certain to be rendered physically helpless by consuming that many calories in one meal, it is still a far cry from the apocalyptic stomach trauma that would likely occur from attempting to devour almost double that portion.
However, we know that some of you more sadistic culinary daredevils are going to try it anyway. But before you do: you should know that after consuming a large meal, it can take up to 12 hours for it to leave your stomach. Not to mention the increased risk factors associated with gluttonous behavior, ranging from indigestion to a heart attack.
With that in mind, your best chance for survival this Thanksgiving is simply to eat smaller portions and extend your holiday intake over the course of the entire day.
