It probably comes as no surprise that a Thanksgiving meal can pack in tons of extra calories. What’s really eye-opening is how much exercise you need to burn those calories.
Don’t get us wrong. Thanksgiving dinner is a meal to be savored; just keep some of these numbers in mind before you pile those goodies too high on your plate today.
The values below are rough averages based on a 155-pound person. We left turkey off of the list below on purpose. At about 150 calories for a 4-ounce (skinless) serving, it’s hands-down a healthy choice.
Starters
•Six stuffed mushrooms (made with cheese and meat) equal 350 calories and one hour of belly dancing to get rid of the calories
•One serving of spinach-artichoke dip equals 320 calories and 35 minutes of sit-ups
Sides
•One-fourth cup gravy equals 50 calories and 15 minutes of vigorous house-cleaning
•One cup stuffing equals 350 calories and two hours of yoga
•One cup green bean casserole equals 400 calories and 45 minutes of pushups
•One cup sweet potato casserole equals 500 calories and 45 minutes of jogging (10 minute mile pace)
Desserts
•One slice of pumpkin pie equals 400 calories and 45 minutes of basketball
•One serving of apple pie a la mode equals 575 calories and one hour 10 minutes of spinning
•One slice of pecan pie equals 500 calories and one hour of high-impact aerobics
Meal tips
We don’t want to scare you away from the dinner table. Use these tips to enjoy your meal without getting stuffed.•Pay attention to portions.
•Keep calories from alcohol to a minimum.
•Share dessert with a relative or friend.
•Get an extra workout in before you start your holiday shopping.
Extra workout
There’s no reason why you can’t squeeze in a workout before or after you sit down at the dinner table today. Try these ideas to help burn extra calories.Go for a walk around the neighborhood. A brisk, 30-minute walk for a 155-pound person will burn about 181 calories.
Enter a race. Make room for turkey and trimmings by participating in a race/walk. There are several scheduled for today.
•Galloping Gobbler. This race has become a local tradition, offering a four- mile run or walk and new this year an eight-mile race. The race starts at the Hutzell Athletic Center on the University of Saint Francis campus and takes runners and walkers through Lindenwood Cemetery. The race starts at 8:15 a.m. for the eight-mile run and 8:30 a.m. for the four-mile run/walk. Registration begins at 7:10 a.m. For more information, go to www.veep.com.
•Pathfinder Kids Kampus Turkey Trot. 5K run/walk and one-mile fun walk/run; 8 a.m. at McDonald’s, 60 Home St., Huntington; $20. For more information, go to www.kidscampus.org.