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Food for Thought: Thanksgiving Calorie Calculator

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Avoid packing on the pounds this holiday season by figuring out how many calories are in your favorite meals using this handy, holiday calorie list.

Thanksgiving Calorie Counter

Salads and Appetizers:

3 cups salad (with light dressing):  100 calories

½ cup JELLO with fruit: 120 calories

½ cup Waldorf salad: 110 calories

1 cracker with cheese: 70 calories

½ cup mixed raw vegetables: 25 calories

½ cup mixed nuts: 440 calories

1 oz. tortilla or potato chips: 150 calories (75 extra calories per tablespoon of dip)

Main Course:

6 oz. cured ham: 300 calories

6 oz. white and dark turkey: 340 calories

½ cup stuffing: 180 calories

½ cup cranberry sauce: 190 calories

½ cup mashed potatoes: 150 calories

½ cup gravy: 150 calories

½ cup green bean casserole: 225 calories

½ cup candied sweet potatoes: 150 calories

1 dinner roll: 110 calories (45 extra calories with one pat of butter)

Drinks:

1 mixed drink: 250 calories

1 glass of wine: 120 calories

1 glass of cider: 120 calories

1 cup eggnog: 343 calories

Desserts:

2 small chocolate chip cookies: 150 calories

1-piece apple pie: 410 calories

1-piece pecan pie: 480 calories

1-piece pumpkin pie: 180 calories

½ cup whipped cream: 75 calories

½ cup ice cream: 145 calories

Leftovers:

1 turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberry sauce: 450 calories

1 open-face turkey sandwich with stuffing and gravy: 290 calories

Thanksgiving Calorie Counter: A Handy Calculator for Your Holiday Meal

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Avoid packing on the pounds this holiday season by figuring out how many calories are in your favorite meals using this handy holiday calorie list. By figuring out how many calories you’re consuming you’ll have a better idea of the amount of movement and activities that you’ll need in order to combat Holiday calories.

Salads and Appetizers:

3 cups salad (with light dressing): 100 calories
½ cup jello with fruit: 120 calories
½ cup Waldorf salad: 110 calories
1 cracker with cheese: 70 calories
½ cup mixed raw vegetables: 25 calories
½ cup mixed nuts: 440 calories
1 oz. tortilla or potato chips: 150 calories (75 extra calories per tablespoon of dip)

Main Course:

6 oz. cured ham: 300 calories
6 oz. white and dark turkey: 340 calories
½ cup stuffing: 180 calories
½ cup cranberry sauce: 190 calories
½ cup mashed potatoes: 150 calories
½ cup gravy: 150 calories
½ cup green bean casserole: 225 calories
½ cup candied sweet potatoes: 150 calories
1 dinner roll: 110 calories (45 extra calories with one pat of butter)

Drinks:

1 mixed drink: 250 calories
1 glass of wine: 120 calories
1 glass of cider: 120 calories
1 cup eggnog: 343 calories

Desserts:

2 small chocolate chip cookies: 150 calories
1 piece apple pie: 410 calories
1 piece pecan pie: 480 calories
1 piece pumpkin pie: 180 calories
½ cup whipped cream: 75 calories
½ cup ice cream: 145 calories

Leftovers:

1 turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberry sauce: 450 calories
1 open-face turkey sandwich with stuffing and gravy: 290 calories

Now according to Walking.about.com the first thing that you need to do after a weekend of over-indulgent eating is to increase your activity level. Brisk walking three or more times a week for thirty to forty five minutes will help burn off your Thanksgiving turkey. So enjoy your Thanksgiving feast then make sure to put on your walking shoes. Get some fresh air, get your heart pumping and gear up for Christmas just around the corner!

It’s Turkey Time: Nutritional Aspects of Your Thanksgiving Turkey

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As another Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s time to get out the roaster and prepare another turkey to ring in the holiday season. But what do we know about this wild bird besides that nearly every home serves it for Thanksgiving? There is plenty to learn.

Along with chicken, turkey has quickly become a favorite of those on low-fat diets according to Homecooking.about.com. Health studies have also shown that cooking turkey with the skin on seals in the natural juices and the fat from skin does not seep into the turkey. To avoid any extra fat just make sure to remove the skin before eating.

According to Urbanext.illinois.edu, one good thing about the nutritional value of turkey is that it is very low in fat and high in protein. In fact it only has 1 gram of fat per ounce of flesh. It is also a good source of iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium and B vitamins. All of these nutrients have been found to keep blood cholesterol down, protect against birth defects, cancer and heart disease, aid in nerve function and growth, boost the immune system and regulate blood pressure.

The fat and calorie amounts vary though because white meat has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat and skin. Turkey is also naturally low in sodium. It typically contains less than 25 milligrams (mg) of sodium per ounce on average.

The meat fiber in turkey is easier to digest than other types of meat, so that makes turkey a good choice for individuals that have digestion problems.

While turkey is already a nutritious meat, it can be made even more nutritious if you stick to white turkey meat and if it is prepared using a low-fat cooking method, such as baking, broiling, or grilling. You can also try steaming the turkey or poaching the turkey pieces in water, wine or a broth with herbs and spices. Another healthful and delicious way to prepare a turkey is to sauté it in as little oil as possible, using broth, lemon or orange juice as a basting sauce.

Now that you know more about this delectable and nutritious bird you will enjoy this year’s Thanksgiving meal even more.