Enjoying Holiday Meals is a Numbers Game

Holiday Fitness

How many calories are in the typical Thanksgiving meal? About 3,500, according to experts. During the holiday season, the average American will gain between 1 and 3 lbs., making exercise a great tool for curbing unwanted weight gain. So exactly how much exercise will it take to burn off a slice of Grandma’s famous apple pie? Below is a look at some favorite holiday foods and the calorie deficit you’ll need to create in order to “earn” your indulgences. Keep up a fitness routine throughout the holiday season, and the rest will be, well, gravy. 

Apple Pie

1 slice apple pie

411 calories

run a 5K (10-min mile pace)

Pumpkin Pie

1 slice pumpkin pie

316 calories

83 minutes of walking

Stuffing

1/2 cup stuffing

180 calories

10 minutes of stair running

Sweet Potato Casserole

1/2 cup sweet potato casserole  

200 calories

18 minutes of spinning

Turkey

8 oz roasted turkey  

306 calories

21 minutes cycling

Yeast rolls

Yeast roll with butter 

216 calories

20 minutes flag football

mashed potatoes

1/2 cup mashed potatoes

120 calories

35 minutes weight training

cranberry sauce

1/4 cup cranberry sauce

37 calories

60 push-ups

Gravy

1/4 cup turkey gravy

45 calories

50 burpees