But how long does it really take to burn off those popular, festive foods?
MyProtein nutritionist Jennifer Blow weighs in on her favorite festive treats and what you can do to burn off those extra calories so you can indulge to your hearts content.
She also offers some tips to get back on the wagon after a day of indulgence – including a good lie-in, some steamy sex, and a day of shopping to burn calories.
MAIN MEAL
3 medium roast potatoes (400 calories) = 40 minutes of Crossfit
3 slices of turkey (90 calories) = 20 minutes of casual cycling
3 parsnips (163 calories) = 15 minutes of stair climbing
1 sausage wrapped in bacon (235 calories) = 30 minutes of squats
2 carrots (82 calories) = 6 minutes of burpees
1 portion of candied yams with marshmallows (282 calories) = 30 minutes of ice skating
For your meat: You’ll need 20 minutes of cycling and 30 minutes of squats to burn off your turkey and sausage wrapped in bacon, according to Jennifer Blow
For veggies: A couple of carrots will set you back six burpees while two slices of cheese with four crackers will cost a 30-minute run
DESSERT
Slice of pecan pie (500 calories) = 90 minutes on Wii Fit
Slice of pumpkin pie (410 calories) = 45-minute HIIT class
2 slices of cheese with 4 crackers (280 calories) = 30 minutes of running
DRINKS
Glass of mulled wine (160 calories) = 30 minutes of hot yoga
Glass of prosecco (69 calories) = 7 minutes of jump rope skipping
Shot of Baileys (109 calories) = 20 minutes of low intensity strength or weight training
Glass of eggnog (220 calories) = 25 minutes of walking lunges
Burn off alcohol calories: A shot of creamy Bailey’s will require 20 minutes of weight training while you’ll need 30 minutes of hot yoga to burn off a glass of mulled wine
For prosecco, jump rope skipping will do the trick in seven minutes. But eggnog, the most calorific of festive drinks, will require 25 minutes of walking lunges
…AND HOW TO GET BACK ON THE WAGON AFTER
A few extra tips on what we can do to make sure we don’t let Thanksgiving become a few days of obesity.
1) HAVE SEX TO BURN CALORIES
According to this sex calculator, 30 minutes of sex is the equivalent of a 15-minute run – and can burn off a 90-calorie can of cola.
For men, 10 minutes of holding their partner up or having sex standing up is the most intense.
Women, on the other hand, exert themselves the most when they are being held up or while in the reverse cowgirl position.
2) SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP
Make the most of the holiday lies-ins. Scores of studies show sleep can affect your health in many ways, not least driving you to eat more.
A recent study by King’s College London showed sleeping less than the optimum seven hours a night causes people to eat an extra 385 calories a day, which will add a pound to the waistline every week.
Blow also advises going to bed early to avoid late night leftover snacking, which can pile on the pounds and increase your risk of diabetes.
3) KEEP AN EYE ON PORTIONS IN THE DAYS AFTER
Manage portion sizes by using a side plate instead of a main.
Thanksgiving is known as a day of eating. Most parties cook up enough food to have leftovers for a whole week. It means that in the days and weeks after, your portion control may unravel.
Blow recommends using side plates instead of main plates to help you limit the amount of food your consuming.
4) SUPPLEMENTS
Take carb blockers supplements which prevent the gut absorbing carbs.
5) DRINK WATER
Always have a bottle of water handy and drink two liters a day.
When you’re dehydrated you crave sugar and salt, or even a sugar-packed soda to boost your energy levels.
But studies have shown people who always give themselves the option of water tend not to be so lured by unhealthy options.
6) EVENING AND MORNING FAST
If your Thanksgiving feast is during the day, Blow recommends trying to fast between 5pm that night and 9am the next day.
If it’s an evening event, try a similar fast the day after.
Limiting your nighttime food intake will give your body time to digest all the food and alcohol you’ve consumed, helping your metabolism to get back into shape.
7) SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Hit the sales – a full morning of shopping can burn up to 400 calories!