Do you have any idea how many calories can be consumed during the holidays?
I want to know how many extra calories I will be consuming during the upcoming holiday season. I need to keep my weight down so I will be able to fit into my dress for my daughter’s wedding. Starting with Thanksgiving dinner in November, Christmas parties and dinner meals in December and New Year's Eve parties in January, do you have any idea how many extra calories you are consuming? In the next two weeks, I will be attending five Christmas parties. I decided to pace myself, eating more fruits and vegetables instead of chips and dips. I want to know if the fruit and vegetable food choices are less calories than the chip and dip choices. I found a calorie counter web page and was in total shock at how many calories were in certain holiday foods. The one celery stalk with cream cheese I ate was 45 calories. Of course there were three on my plate totaling 135 calories for just three pieces of celery and cream cheese. Then I had one glass of sparkling grape juice for a total of 120 calories. Now I have consumed 255 calories for three pieces of celery and one glass of sparkling grape juice. You can see how the calories can add up.
I recommend that you make a list of possible side dishes and entrees you may be consuming this holiday season, then go to a calorie counter web page and see how many calories will be consumed at that party. After the initial shock is over, you can adjust your party food choices or run 10 miles to burn off the extra calories. Here are some examples of party food items and the calories that go with them.
A stalk of celery stuffed with cream cheese comes to 45 calories. You will need to walk 0.45 miles, 0.72 kilometers, or 900 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A glass of cider or juice comes to 120 calories. You will need to walk 1.2 miles, 1.93 kilometers, or 2,400 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
Half a cup of mixed, raw veggies comes to 25 calories. You will need to walk 0.25 miles, 0.40 kilometers, or 500 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
5 large olives comes to 92 calories. You will need to walk 0.92 miles, 1.48 kilometers, or 1,840 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A cup of eggnog comes to 343 calories. You will need to walk 3.43 miles, 5.53 kilometers, or 6,860 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
An open-face turkey sandwich with stuffing and gravy comes to 290 calories. You will need to walk 2.9 miles, 4.67 kilometers, or 5,800 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
One ounce of potato or tortilla chips comes to 150 calories. You will need to walk 1.5 miles, 2.41 kilometers, or 3,000 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
One tablespoon of spinach dip comes to 53 calories. You will need to walk 0.53 miles, 0.85 kilometers, or 1,060 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
Half a cup of candied sweet potatoes comes to 150 calories. You will need to walk 1.5 miles, 2.41 kilometers, or 3,000 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
Half a cup of cranberry sauce comes to 190 calories. You will need to walk 1.9 miles, 3.06 kilometers, or 3,800 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A dinner roll with a pat of butter comes to 155 calories. You will need to walk 1.55 miles, 2.5 kilometers, or 3,100 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberry sauce comes to 450 calories. You will need to walk 4.5 miles, 7.25 kilometers, or 9,000 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
If you are OK with the food items and calories so far, here is the real eye opener - the dessert calories.
A small piece of fudge comes to 70 calories. You will need to walk 0.7 miles, 1.12 kilometers, or 1,400 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A chocolate-covered cherry comes to 75 calories. You will need to walk 0.75 miles, 1.20 kilometers, or 1,500 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A slice of fruitcake comes to 324 calories. You will need to walk 3.24 miles, 5.22 kilometers, or 6,480 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
A slice of pecan pie comes to 480 calories. You will need to walk 4.8 miles, 7.74 kilometers, or 9,600 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps.
OK, now that you know the amount of calories in the food choices I selected and how much exercise I will need to do to burn off those calories, you can make your own list and see how many extra calories you will consume during the holiday months. When the shock of the amount wears off, use your pencil and mark off the items you can do without and see if you can keep the calories down during the holidays.
Reference: http://caloriecount.about.com/