Thanksgiving Calories
In all the excitement of enjoying Thanksgiving with family and friends we often forget what it is really all about. And NO it is not just about the fabulous food. It is a time to reflect back on your year and remember the people in your lives and your current circumstances and be grateful for where you are right now even if it is challenging;it was for the Pilgrams.
When the Pilgrams and the Indians settled into their three day celebration all that time ago, the Pilgrams had just come through some really tough times. Upwards of 50% of the Pilgrams had died their first year in America. One day an Indian showed up who knew English and helped out the Pilgrims with ways to cultivate the land and basically survive in this new world. By their third year they had a bountiful harvest and invited their Indian friends to celebrate. And we have since celebrated Thanksgiving as a time to remember where we have come from and survived and be blessed with opportunity to move forward from this place.
So if Thanksgiving is about gratitude for overcoming tough circumstances what exactly does that have to do with eating so much you have to undo your pants top button to let your stomach out? Not sure, but if you are one of those people who go overboard with your eating on this holiday I have included approximations of calories for all those goodies you might be eating tomorrow. Hoping a little knowledge may cause you some second thoughts while indulging in some favorite dishes. Remember only 3500 extra calories and you have gained a pound of fat.
Let’s start with the drinks. I believe the Pilgrams and Indians drank water but…
1 glass wine 120 calories
1 cup eggnog 343 calories
1 mixed drink 250 calories
1 glass cider 120 calories
Snacks:
1 cracker w/cheese 70 calories
1 celery stalk w/cream cheese 45 calories
1/2 cup mixed nuts 440 calories
1/2 cup fresh fruit 60 calories
1 tbsp dip for chips 75 calories
1 ounce potato chips 150 calories
Salads:
3 cups salad with diet dressing 100 calories
1 tbsp ranch dressing 75 calories
1/2 cup gelatin w/ fruit 120 calories
1/2 cup waldorf salad 110 calories
Main Dish:
Turkey White meat w/ skin – 1 cup 276 calories
Turkey Dark meat w/ skin 310 calories
Bread stuffing – 1/2 cup 190 calories
Mashed potatoes (milk & butter) – 1 cup 237 calories
Cranberry Sauce – 1/2 cup 190 calories
Gravy- 1/2 cup 150 calories
150 caloriesGreen Bean Casserole – 1/2 cup 225 calories
Candied Sweet Potato – 1/2 cup 150 calories
1 Dinner Roll 110 calories
1 Pat butter 45 calories
Desserts:
2 Small Chocolate Chip cookies 150 calories
1 piece apple pie (1/8) 410 calories
1 piece pecan pie (1/8) 480 calories
1/2 cup whipped cream 75 calories
1/2 cup ice cream 145 calories
1 small piece fudge 70 calories
Thanks to www.About.com and www.Suite101.com for their stats….
You may be wondering if I am guilt tripping you on this most festive holiday and I say it’s not so. Believe me in our household we love Thanksgiving and this year we have so much to be Thankful for so we will be in the same boat as you tomorrow with the one exception being; my husband Lynn and I are determined to go through this year’s Holiday season losing body-fat. This is different for us as we usually gain weight from Holloween till New Year when we are 5 pounds heavier, sluggish and miserable. Looking in the mirror and saying, “Well all of January we will be working to get back to where we were before the Holiday’s.” NOT THIS YEAR.
So you see this little entry is for me as well as for you. Tomorrow, when we go to our friends house to celebrate, I am going to remember those serving sizes, drink alot of water and skip the seconds and still enjoy the holiday with our friends. Hoping you do the same.
Love to hear your thoughts, comments….
God Bless You,
Evey
