Thanksgiving is the time for family, relaxation, and food — usually a lot of food. But that doesn’t mean we have to completely forget about our health and what we eat. Let"s take a look at the nutrition facts of some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods:
White and Dark Turkey Meat: 3.5 ounces of white meat has 1.66 grams of fat and about 161 calories, while same amount of dark meat has just slightly more fat and calories.
Bread Stuffing: One ounce of bread stuffing has 1 gram of fat, 109 calories, and 21.6 total grams of carbohydrates.
Cranberry Sauce (canned, sweetened): One serving (277 grams) of canned cranberry sauce has 0 grams of fat, 418 calories, and 108 total grams of carbohydrates.
Cranberry Sauce (homemade): One serving (209 grams) of homemade cranberry sauce has 9.8 grams of fat, 434 calories, and 90.1 grams of carbohydrates.
Mashed Potatoes: One cup of homemade mashed potatoes with whole milk and butter has 8.9 grams of fat, 237 calories, and 35.2 total carbohydrates.
Homemade Green Bean Casserole: One serving of homemade green bean casserole has 6 grams of fat, 95 calories, and 11 total grams of carbohydrates.
Pumpkin Pie: An average slice of pumpkin pie has 18.99 grams of fat, 372.6 calories, 45.61 total grams of carbohydrates.
Here’s some other Thanksgiving food trivia you might not know…
Is White Meat Healthier Than Dark Meat?
Dark meat differs from white meat because they are different types of muscle, according to the New York Times. And even though dark meat does have a few more grams of fat and calories, it isn’t necessarily unhealthier. It has more iron, zinc, and vitamin B than white meat.
Busting The Tryptophan Myth
The thing in turkey everyone says makes you sleepy is called tryptophan. But actually, tryptophan probably isn’t the cause of your after-dinner drowsiness.
That’s because the amount of tryptophan in turkey alone isn’t enough to affect most people. We’re also used to eating foods with tryptophan. Turkey has just as much tryptophan as chicken, beef, pork, or lamb. It’s also found in cheese, milk, eggs, and fish.
Thanksgiving sleepiness is more likely caused from your entire carbohydrate-packed meal. Drinking alcohol and relaxing on the couch watching football helps the drowsiness along, as well.
The “I Ate Too Much ” Feeling
We’re accustomed to stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving. But our bodies have defenses against eating too much. After you eat around 1,500 calories in one sitting, your body releases a hormone that causes nausea, reported the New York Times.
Thanksgiving Calories
The average American eats around 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day, according to the Calorie Control Council. That’s around 2.5 pounds of food. The average person also packs in about 229 grams of fat on Turkey day, as well.
So what are some ways to cut calories and fat?
Consider substituting an egg with two egg whites, using skim or low-fat milk and low-fat sour cream, and light butter. For dessert, try frozen yogurt rather than ice cream, and use a low-fat crust for your pies.
One of the best ways to lower fat and calorie intake is to take smaller portions and eat in moderation. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
From everyone at GoHealth, we hope you enjoy your favorite foods and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!