Americans expected to consume over 4,000 calories on Thanksgiving

<p>The average American is expected to consume 3,000 to 4,500 calories this Thanksgiving, according to the Calorie Control Council.</p>

News 12 Staff

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Nov 22, 2018, 12:47 AM

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Updated 2,226 days ago

Americans expected to consume over 4,000 calories on Thanksgiving

Maybe you should hold off on that second helping of mashed potatoes?

The average American is expected to consume 3,000 to 4,500 calories this Thanksgiving, according to the Calorie Control Council.

The council broke down some of the most popular Thanksgiving dishes by calories:

Four 4-ounce slices of roasted turkey without skin – 190 calories
One square of cornbread – 152 calories
1 cup of traditional stuffing – 355 calories
1 cup of mashed potatoes – 230 calories
Slice of pumpkin or pecan pie – 350 – 450 calories.

The CCC says that this doesn’t even factor in extras like butter, whipped cream, other toppings, alcohol or extra servings.

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The council recommends that Thanksgiving eaters stay active throughout the day to burn off some calories. People should also have a nutritious snack prior to Thanksgiving dinner to prevent them from over-indulging.

Family members who are cooking Thanksgiving dinner may also use healthier substitutes, like skim milk instead of whole milk or apple sauce in place of oil.

The CCC also recommends that socialization happen away from food.

The council says that for leftovers, pair the turkey with vegetables instead of breads and gravy, or include lower-calorie foods with some of the heavier dishes.