If this doesn't keep you on track for Thanksgiving, nothing will....

Close your eyes and go back to all your family gatherings and Thanksgiving dinners before WLS.  I started wearing my new stretch pants a few days early to get more room.  I started baking and cooking days before. Bought butter by the multi box and sugar, sugar, sugar.

Here is a break down of a Thanksgiving dinner....  ANY QUESTIONS?  

Turkey (dark meat with skin)
Serving size: Two or three slices (8 oz.)
Calories: 424
Fat: 17.8g
Carbs: 0g

Stuffing
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 42g

Green bean casserole
Serving size: 1 serving
Calories: 161
Fat: 9g
Carbs: 17g

Mashed potatoes and gravy
Serving size: 1 cup + 1/4 cup
Calories: 237 + 206 (443 total)
Fat: 9g + 16g
Carbs: 35g + 8g

Cranberry sauce
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 86
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 22g

Cornbread
Serving size: 1 piece
Calories: 173
Fat: 5g
Carbs: 28g

Sweet potatoes with marshmallows 
Serving size: 1 heaping scoop
Calories: 609
Fat: 8.8g
Carbs: 131.6g

White wine
Serving size: 1 glass
Calories: 122
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 3g

Pecan pie
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 503
Fat: 27g
Carbs: 64g

Pumpkin pie
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 316
Fat: 14g
Carbs: 41g

Total
Calories: 3,157
Fat: 124g
Carbs: 388.6

Total if you go back for seconds (who doesn't?)
Calories: 6,314
Fat: 248g
Carbs: 777.2

...and that doesn't even include the macaroni and cheese.

WHOA!!!!!  I know things can vary with recipes but I am from the south, so I'm sure those calories are definitely present in the cooking.  Good gracious!!!  

And don't forget the calories that we add when we're the ones cooking. Have to taste and re-taste to make sure everything is seasoned properly. That a meal in itself.

Add another 800 calories for all the butter I would put on top of things.

I posted this on my Facebook just now, and my MO vegan brother commented that I had to remember that not all calories are equal.

I guess 3100 calories of tofurkey is better than 3100 calories of the real bird? 

Well just smack my southern self! How could I forget the Mac and Cheese!

Nutrition

Amount per serving (8 total)

• Calories:
• 621 kcal
•  
• 31%

• Fat:
• 43.1 g
•  
• 66%

• Carbs:
• 29.8g
•  
• 10%

• Protein:
• 29 g
•  
• 58%

• Cholesterol:
• 197 mg
•  
• 66%

• Sodium:
• 919 mg
•  
• 37%

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

I was watching the Food Network yesterday and I saw the Pioneer Woman. The only reason I put her on is she has a basset hound. 

As I watched she was making mashed potatoes. I mean if you want to eat them go ahead. She made ten pounds of potatoes with 4 sticks of butter then put two large packages of cream cheese. Then she added heavy cream. Even when I was Mo I did not make things that fattening. I was OB because I ate everything and hid and ate more. 

I was really grossed out by this. 

Seriously?  Butter, yes but cream cheese and heavy cream?  Let's just call them heart attack taters. I agree it doesn't sound delious either.