Food for thought

For many folks, Christmas will continue the tradition of sitting down to a big meal or three. Specifics will vary, but odds are it will be an immoveable feast (the immoveable part being you after you’ve finished gorging).

Here’s the calorie and nutritional count for a traditional plate:

• One turkey leg with skin: 213 calories, 0 grams carbohydrates, 11 grams fat, 28 grams protein

• Mashed potatoes with gravy: 280 calories, 39 g carbs, 12 g fat, 4.1 g protein

• Moist stuffing: 352 calories, 43.6 g carbs, 16.8 g fat, 6.28 g protein

• Green bean casserole: 227 calories, 20 g carbs, 15.4 g fat, 4.3 g protein

• Cranberry sauce: 105 calories, 22 g carbs, 0.1 g fat, 0.1 g protein

• Dinner roll: 84 calories, 14.11 g carbs, 2.04 g fat, 2.35 g protein

• Tablespoon of butter: 102 calories, 0.01 g carbs, 11.52 g fat, 0.12 g protein

• Slice of pumpkin pie: 323 calories, 42.04 g carbs, 14.63 g fat, 6.01 g protein

• Slice of pecan pie: 503 calories, 63.68 g carbs, 27.08 g fat, 5.98 g protein

• Scoop of ice cream: 210 calories, 22 g carbs, 13g fat, 2 g protein

These estimates are based on average-sized servings. They don’t account for extra-big or extra helpings or the gastronomic wonder of Aunt May’s apple, bacon and fennel stuffing. Nor do they include counts for sugar and salt. The recommended daily calorie intake for adult men is 2,500 and 2,000 for adult women. Nutritionists suggest that 45 to 65 percent of total calories come from carbohydrates, 20 to 35 percent from fat and 10 to 35 percent from protein.

If you eat the meal above, you will consume approximately 2,400 calories, 266 grams of carbohydrates, 113 grams of fat and 59 grams of protein — not so bad if you skipped a meal or two in anticipation of seconds.

But no worries. Eat, drink and be merry for the day after we diet.