The average American will consume 4,500 calories today

[davidn3600]

BOSTON (CBS) – The average American will consume 4,500 calories during a typical Thanksgiving and while we say it’s only one day a year, what is happening to our bodies with all of that stuffing? Dr. Mallika Marshall explains.

We’ve all experienced that food coma after indulging on Thanksgiving but what’s really going on to make you feel so sluggish and yet so satisfied? Yahoo! health broke it down by body system, beginning with your brain.

Psychologists say your mindset before dinner can affect how much you eat. Family stress, like having to sit next to crazy Uncle Ned or having to explain why you’re not married yet, can make you eat (and drink) more.

And once you start to eat, the levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin rise in your brain, making you feel tired and perhaps less mindful of what you’re shoveling into your mouth.

Whenever you eat, your stomach expands, which typically tells your brain that you’re full, but because you tend to keep eating because it’s Thanksgiving, those signals are overridden and your stomach continues to stretch.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/11/25/thanksgiving-eating-doctor-mallika-marshall/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. The average? Holy crap.

How many calories are some folks eating, to account for all of the folks who will still go hungry today?

[NightWatcher]

2. Raises hand in shame.

I don't even want to count.

[yeoman6987]

4. I hope to exceed that.

I love thanksgiving. Favorite holiday of the year.

[2naSalit]

3. Not me...

I am on a clear fluids only diet for the next few days... I'm at water, gatorade, tea and I just had my first cup of coffee in days to ward off the withdrawal headache. Oh, and medications that don't sit well with my tummy.

Happy T-day!! Everybody have an extra helping of your favorite foods for me!! Thanks!

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. You take it easy

[2naSalit]

9. Thank you

and have a nice Thanksgiving. I should be in better shape by next week. Got bitten on the face by a spider, again and in a location affected by a spider bite tens years ago, and was doing okay since I started treating it right away. But, a few days later a small scab had formed and was washed off... I live in cold weather and wearing face gear while skiing and getting sweaty ended up infecting it. Made my face swell and made all my teeth on that side of my face hurt soooo badly! I went to our local clinic and got some antibiotics (haven't used those for many years) but that Rx made me puke for 18 hours. Got back to the clinic yesterday and was given these food instructions and a different Rx along with a strong anti-emetic. Feeling somewhat better today but still a ways to go. My teeth felt better after the first 12 hours, thankfully, and now my face is starting to look relatively symmetrical again... So I am thankful for those things today and the fact that coffee is a clear fluid!

When the Rx series is over I can eat real food again.


I think one of my friends is freezing a plate of feastfood so I can enjoy it next week.

Have an extra bite of pie for me. And thanks!

[FLPanhandle]

5. How many calories in a bottle of wine?

Still 4,500 calories seems impossible to consume.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Not as impossible as you think

http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/the-ugly-truth-holiday-foods-and-their-caloric-content

Most folks do not just eat a normal portion of this... but a few extra helpings. People tend to eat well beyond the point of being satisfied.

I know that I will eat until I am full, and that is it. So likely, no desert for me... for example

[treestar]

6. not me, I am going to keep count like I have been doing

and not eat any desserts. No stuffing or rolls. I've been on a diet and I get full pretty soon. I hate the feeling of overeating.

[NobodyHere]

8. I need to get started then

[Marr]

10. I think many eat that much every day. /nt

[Snobblevitch]

11. I've lost 45 lbs. since last Thanksgiving.

I don't pig out like I used to.

[Serenades]

19. Wow

Congratulations

[NickB79]

12. Due to my insane metabolism, I routinely consume 3000-3500 per day

Thankfully I stay physically active, both at work and at home, so no gut yet. I've gained 12 lb in the past decade, but it's all been muscle, and my doctor says I'm in great shape. My coworkers give me hell because I bring a grocery bag of food to work every day

But I just turned 36, so I'm expecting my metabolism to drop in the not too distant future. Time to start limiting my food intake.

[FLPanhandle]

15. Sorry guys, I came no where near my 4,500 calorie intake.

I hope someone else was able to take up my slack.

[JanMichael]

16. i am soooo not average. the total with beer cannot be over 2500.

the tofurky early dinner was awesome but not typical overkill like most.

[Serenades]

17. I accept

Challenge accepted...

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. My goal with last year's New Years Resolution was to lose 25 pounds.

I'm only 30 pounds short of my goal!

[B Calm]

20. I haven't eaten all day. Thought it would be a good day to fast.

We celebrated Thanksgiving last night.

[Takket]

21. nice to know I'm above average