The holidays are a time when we gather with friends and family to celebrate—usually around the dinner table. The purpose is to enjoy ourselves, but often we tend to eat more than we typically would.
Recently, the Calorie Control Council estimated that the average American could consume as many as 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day. That's the equivalent of more than 2 1/4 times the average daily calorie intake and almost 3 1/2 times the fat. The typical holiday dinner can be loaded with 45 percent of calories from fat. In fact, the average person may consume enough fat at a holiday meal to equal three sticks of butter.
Those extra calories can be avoided with a few savvy ingredient swaps in some of your favorite recipes. Try these tips to lighten up your holiday favorites without sacrificing flavor.
Entrées
Sides
Dessert
Sources:
- "Stuff the Bird, Not Yourself: How to Deal with the 3,000 Calorie Thanksgiving Meal." Calorie Control Council. 2014. Accessed June 7, 2016.
- "Basic Report: Turkey, All Classes, Light Meat, Cooked, Roasted.” United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Resource Service: National Nutrient Database. May 2016. Accessed June 7, 2016.
- "Basic Report: Turkey from Whole, Dark Meat, Cooked, Roasted." United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Resource Service: National Nutrient Database. May 2016. Accessed June 7, 2016.
- "Basic Report: Potatoes, Mashed, Home-Prepared, Whole Milk and Margarine Added." United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Resource Service: National Nutrient Database. May 2016. Accessed August 8, 2016.
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