By Becca Newell // Additional Research by Chelsea Hanson
Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and food—the latter of which we look forward to perhaps a little more than we should. And while holidays aren’t the most appropriate time to consider healthy eating habits, it’s good to be mindful of what’s on your dinner plate. Here, we determine the calories for Turkey Day staples—and the subsequent exercises needed to lose ‘em—so you can enjoy the feast without fear of over-indulgence.
You can have your pumpkin and pecan pie—and eat it, too! Just be sure to get up and get moving on Black Friday. Who said shopping wasn’t good for your health?!
The American Council on Fitness suggests that the average Thanksgiving meal contains about 3,000 calories!
Turkey Breast with Skin
3.5 ounces (about the size and thickness of a new deck of cards) | 194 calories
A 45-min. water aerobics class
Turkey Leg with Skin
One leg | 213 calories
A 45-minute game of flag football
Mashed Potatoes
1/2 cup | 116 calories
A half-hour brisk walk
Homemade Gravy
1/4 cup | 262 calories
An hour of bowling
Stuffing
1/2 cup. | 160 calories
Ten minutes of jumping rope at moderate effort
Carrots or Brussels Sprouts
1/2 cup | 27 calories
A 10-minute slow-paced walk
Sweet Potato Casserole
1/2 cup | 440 calories
An hour-long hike
Cranberry Sauce
1/4 cup | 110 calories
Twenty minutes playing table tennis
Dinner Roll and Butter
One serving | 310 calories
A leisurely bike ride for an hour and a half
Green Bean Casserole
1 cup | 142 calories
A half-hour power yoga session
Pumpkin Pie
One slice (with a dollop of whipped cream) | 437 calories
Vigorous mountain biking for 30 minutes
Pecan Pie
One slice | 503 calories
An hour of intense climbing on an indoor rock-climbing wall
Work out ahead of time with a morning Turkey Trot fun run
A simple 5K, at a 10-minute-per-mile pace, burns about: 350 calories. Check out a list of nearby runs on our calendar here.
