Thanksgiving Plate Calorie Estimator

Slide each dish to the number of servings on your plate. Half-servings count, and a typical dinner plate holds a mix, so build it however it looks on your plate.

Turkey, white meat 2

3 oz roasted, no skin · 125 kcal each 0 kcal

Turkey, dark meat 0

3 oz roasted, no skin · 147 kcal each 0 kcal

Stuffing 0.5

1 cup (100 g), from dry mix · 195 kcal each 0 kcal

Mashed potatoes 0.5

1 cup, with milk and butter · 237 kcal each 0 kcal

Turkey gravy 1

1/4 cup, canned · 30 kcal each 0 kcal

Cranberry sauce 1

1 slice (57 g), canned · 91 kcal each 0 kcal

Candied sweet potatoes 1

1 piece (105 g) · 172 kcal each 0 kcal

Green bean casserole 1

1/2 cup (115 g) · 64 kcal each 0 kcal

Corn 0

1 cup kernels, boiled · 143 kcal each 0 kcal

Dinner roll 1

1 roll (28 g) · 87 kcal each 0 kcal

Butter 1

1 pat (5 g) · 36 kcal each 0 kcal

Pumpkin pie 1

1 slice (133 g) · 323 kcal each 0 kcal

Pecan pie 0

1 slice (133 g) · 541 kcal each 0 kcal

Apple pie 0

1 slice, 1/8 of a 9-inch pie (125 g) · 296 kcal each 0 kcal

Red wine 0

5 fl oz glass · 125 kcal each 0 kcal

Apple cider 0

1 cup (248 g) · 114 kcal each 0 kcal

Estimated calories on this plate 0 kcal

Share of a 2,000-calorie reference day

What the estimates say, and where they disagree

The Calorie Control Council, an industry group, has estimated that a Thanksgiving meal averages about 3,000 calories, rising to roughly 4,500 across the whole day once appetizers, drinks, and dessert are counted. Other estimates are lower, and none of them knows what is on your plate -- that is why this tool adds up your own portions from USDA data instead.

One big meal is not what moves the scale. In a well-known NIH study of 195 adults, average weight gain across the holiday period was about 0.4 kg (under a pound), less than commonly assumed.

Estimates only, from USDA FoodData Central reference values (home recipes vary, and 2,000 calories is the reference day printed on U.S. Nutrition Facts labels, not a personal target). This tool is not medical or dietary advice.

Build your Thanksgiving plate dish by dish, with half-servings, and see an estimated calorie total from USDA FoodData Central values, without any guilt trip.

This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial or medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions. See our Disclaimer.

How it works

Slide each dish to the number of servings on your plate
Watch the calories add up line by line
See your plate's total and its share of a 2,000-calorie reference day

Frequently asked questions

Where do the calorie values come from?

USDA FoodData Central: SR Legacy entries for most dishes and FNDDS entries for green bean casserole and apple cider, multiplied by USDA household-measure weights. Homemade recipes vary, so these are reference values.

Why do other sources say different totals?

The Calorie Control Council, an industry group, has estimated about 3,000 calories for the meal and about 4,500 across the whole day with appetizers, drinks and dessert. Other estimates are lower. None of them knows what is on your plate, which is why this tool adds up your own portions.

Will one big meal make me gain weight?

One meal is not what moves the scale. A well-known NIH study of 195 adults found average weight gain across the whole holiday period of about 0.4 kg, less than commonly believed.

What is the 2,000-calorie figure?

It is the reference day printed on U.S. Nutrition Facts labels. It is not a personal target, and your needs differ; this tool is not medical or dietary advice.

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