The Thanksgiving traditions that our pilgrim forefathers left us may have been Puritans but they are anything but pure. Thanksgiving is mostly a debauchery fest, drenched in gravy and covered with marshmallows. Scrumptious, sure. But not the healthiest…

Lisa Moskovitz R.D. is the founder of The NY Diet Group. She says that between your typical morning breakfast and liberal ladles lard in your dessert, you might be spending four thousand energy or more. If you are the type who approaches nutrition as a mathematical equation, then you know that only 3,500 calories will add one pound of body fat. If you want to start a healthy habit right away, take a look at the 21 Best Healthy Cooking Hacks.

Will you buy a pound of turkey on Thanksgiving Day? Can you gain more than a pound? Let’s look at the science before you panic. You are burning energy regardless of how many calories you consume.

Moskovitz explains that to gain one pound of body fat in a single day, it is necessary to consume 3,500 calories more than you burn. A typical person consumes about 1,600 calories a day to keep their heart and lungs breathing, as well as their eyes rolling at the 400th version of Uncle’s turkey jokes. The burning question is…

How much should you eat at Thanksgiving in order to gain weight?

You would have to consume 5,100 calories of turkey and pie to gain a pound at Thanksgiving. You’d have to eat the following:

• 2 turkey legs with the skin still on
• 6 oz. Turkey breast (with skin still on)
• 2 cups of mashed potatoes (made using butter and whole milk) plus 1 cup of turkey gravy
• 1/2 cup cornbread stuffing
• Can cranberry sauce, 2 slices
• 1 cup of candied candy potatos with marshmallow
• Brussels sprouts and walnuts, 1 cup
• 1 cup of inexperienced beans casserole
• Two crescent rolls
• 1 pumpkin pie and 1 cup vanilla ice-cream
• Every 2 pieces of pecan pie with 2 Tbsp of whipped cream
• 1 slice apple pie

This is 5,130 kilowatts!

But let’s face it, you won’t even come close. You may think you’ve gained a lot of weight if you measure yourself before bed.

Moskovitz says that people can expect to gain an extra two to four kilos after a Thanksgiving meal. These numbers are a combination of your weight and the amount of food you ate, along with a little extra water.

It’s all thanks to your aunt’s famous stuffing and grandmother’s legendary potatoes. The sodium in these dishes, as well as other Thanksgiving favorites, can cause the body to retain more fluid and increase blood pressure and stroke risk.

But, the good news is? The extra kilos won’t be staying.

Moskovitz suggests that a quick slim down can be achieved by working out in the gym the following day. This will help flush out any excess water and reduce some bloating. Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses water, and eat potassium-rich foods like sweet potatoes (or one of the eight meals excessive in potassium) and calcium-rich foods like yogurt. These vitamins can help flush out excess sodium, so you’ll be able to slip back into your skinny jeans in a few days!

Looking for more useful information? Subscribe to our newsletter and receive daily recipes and food information delivered straight to your inbox.