fall background graphic with a Thanksgiving meal asking "How long will it take to work off Thanksgiving dinner?"

MOVE

How long will it take to work off Thanksgiving dinner?

  • Filling two-thirds of your plate with plant-based foods is an important step you can take every time you eat.
  • Sweet potatoes are a good source of manganese which is a necessary nutrient that aids your metabolism, bone development and vitamin absorption.

[Click on image to view full version of infographic.]

how many calories Thanksgiving meal top

 

View text in alternative format.

How long will it take to work off Thanksgiving dinner?

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and eat until you drop. Most American adults consume about 1,700 to 3,000 calories during the Thanksgiving meal. Add the rest of the day and typical calorie consumption on the fourth Thursday of November is about 4,500 calories. Daily recommended caloric intake for an adult American woman in 2,000 calories and for the average American man is 2,500 calories a day.

So just how much exercise is needed to combat the turkey, dressing, gravy and cranberry feast? The following infographic shows how much exercise a 160 pound adult would have to do to burn 3,000 calories.

[Image of woman running up stairs]
Running up stairs 2.6 hours

[Image of woman jumping rope]
Jumping rope 3.5 hours

[Image of woman running]
Running (5 mph) 5.5 hours

[Image of woman biking/cycling]
Cycling (12-14 mph) 5.3 hours

[Image of man cross country skiing]
Cross country skiing 6 hours

[Image of woman in swim suit and swim hat in swimming pose]
Swimming laps (moderate speed) 7 hours

[Image of man with backpack]
Hiking 7 hours

[Image of man dancing with headphones on and arms in the air]
Dancing (moderate) 7 hours

[Image of woman in exercise gear lifting arm weights]
Weight lifting 8.2 hours

[Image of woman on bouncing exercise ball]
Pilates 8.5 hours

[Image of man walking]
Walking (2 MPH) 15 hours

[Image of woman in yoga pose]
Yoga 16.4 hours

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Share this article

MORE LIKE THIS

Turkey, squash and wild rice hotdish recipe

Leftover turkey, butternut squash and wild rice in this recipe produces a satisfying hotdish that's loaded with health benefits. You can even prepare it ahead of time, refrigerate it, then cook it the next day.

Continue reading

EMPOWER YOURSELF


Get fun, inspiring, provider-reviewed articles sent to your inbox.

Sign up for our email newsletter