How Many Calories The Average American Eats At Thanksgiving Dinner

Let’s be real, Thanksgiving is all about the food. Sure, we enjoy getting to spend time with loved ones, but the mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey and pies are the stars of the holiday and we’re more than happy to indulge. While calories may be the last thing on your mind on Turkey Day, new research reveals how many most of us are consuming.

It turns out, the average American will eat roughly a day’s worth of calories in one sitting on Thanksgiving, according to a new report from Levity.

• Their researchers talked to more than 1,000 adults to get an idea about what’s on people’s plates and how many times they go back for more.
• They found the average American consumed 2,092 calories at Thanksgiving dinner.
• But for some folks, that’s just the beginning, as 14% plan to eat at least 3-thousand calories and 4% believe they’re going to polish off more than 5-thousand.
• That’s quite a few more calories than the recommended amount in the guidelines from the USDA and the Department of Health & Human Services, which say adults over the age of 21 need between 16-hundred and 3-thousand calories a day.
• But the feast doesn’t end on Turkey Day, not with all those leftovers in the fridge. The average respondent will eat around 2,270 calories worth of leftovers in the days following Thanksgiving, while 27% say they’ll easily eat 3-thousand and 9% say they’ll be eating 5-thousand calories of leftovers.

So, what will everyone be filling their plates with to rack up all those calories?

• Roasted turkey is the favorite Thanksgiving dish for those polled, followed by mashed potatoes and stuffing/dressing.
• But nearly a third (30%) of Gen Zers aren’t having a traditional roasted turkey on their table this year.
• Cranberry sauce is the least favorite holiday food overall, but people aren’t really fond of deviled eggs, collard greens, green bean casserole or creamed spinach either.
• When it comes to dessert, apple pie beats pumpkin as the favorite for Thanksgiving.

Source: Levity

photo: GETTY