I'm going to level with you: Up until two days ago, I thought Thanksgiving dinner was centered around a nice, plump goose, as opposed to a turkey.
Sue me. I'm British, and we're not on board with the majority of your holidays back home. We've only just begun to recognize Black Friday. So, thanks for all the shopping mall violence.
But from what I hear, Thanksgiving is basically Christmas without the religion. I can totally get 100 percent behind that.
And if there's one thing the two have in common, it's the amount of food we chow down at the dinner table. (And then again on the couch, and then again in the hallway, and then again in bed... basically, any place that has ample space for us to pig out.)
But seriously: The amount of food we get through is alarming. Here in America, the average Thanksgiving-goer – if that's not a word, it is now – will consume 4,500 calories, according to the Calorie Control Council.
This is broken down into 3,000 calories for the meal, along with an additional 1,500 calories for the nibbling we continue to do throughout the day.
And just as a reminder, the daily recommended intake is 1,940 calories for women and 2,550 calories for men.
But hey: This is a no-judgement zone. Personally, I'm going to try to beat this and aim for about 6,000 calories.
But here's a frightening fact: The average person may consume the amount of fat equivalent to three sticks of butter at a holiday meal.
Calorie Control Council suggests some pretty obvious advice on how to handle one's waistline, such as preparing for Thanksgiving by eating low-fat meals in the week leading up to it.
I, however, am going to give it to you straight: PUT DOWN THE FORK. Or embrace the food baby and make sure your gym has a sauna/steam room so you can sweat in peace – alone – and hide your Thanksgiving shame.
Happy eating, friends.
Citations: Calorie Control Council
