How many calories is your feast?
The Calorie Control Council estimates the average American consumes 3,000-4,500 calories at Thanksgiving dinner (including appetizers, dinner, dessert, and drinks). That's 1.5-2× the daily recommended intake in a single meal. The biggest calorie contributors: pecan pie (503 cal/slice), mashed potatoes with gravy (350 cal/serving), stuffing (355 cal/cup), and dinner rolls with butter (360 cal/2 rolls). Turkey is actually quite lean — 3 oz of white meat is only 130 calories. The real damage comes from sides and desserts. Tips: use a regular (not oversized) plate, start with vegetables, and wait 20 minutes before seconds (it takes that long for satiety signals to reach your brain). One day of overeating doesn't cause lasting weight gain — it's the week of leftovers that does.