The holiday season evokes a lot of good qualities in people like generosity, selflessness, faith and all around happiness, but it also has a relatively damaging effect on our bodies. Overeating is typically excused for the winter months because they are full of fattening foods and sugary sweets, but you might rethink those additional helpings if you knew just how many calories you were taking in!

It’s estimated that a Thanksgiving meal could amount to about 4,500 calories and over 200 grams of fat! That’s literally more than what the average person consumers in two days! Imagine what that shock puts your body through. It’s no wonder that everyone opts for a nap after feasting; our bodies are going into overdrive trying to process everything we wolfed down!

I highly doubt this information will deter anyone from partaking in the season’s delicious treats, but there are a few things to keep in mind while you’re fixing your plate. White meat is lower in calories than dark meat. If you’re preparing the food, using egg substitutes and non-fat dairy products will save you some extra calories. When in doubt, know what you’re taking in. Here’s a caloric breakdown for some of the most popular dishes.

• 4 ounces of Turkey = 223-323 calories (white meat is about 100 calories less than dark meat)

• ½ cup of stuffing = 190 calories

• 1 piece of pumpkin pie = 316 calories

• 1 cup of mashed potatoes = 162 calories

So, stay active this season and concentrate on proper portions. There’s no need to scarf everything down on Thanksgiving. There’s plenty of time for leftovers!

Sources: ABC

Photo Source: morguefile