Thanksgiving Cook Calorie Guide

Photo: Randy Mayor

What the Thanksgiving Cook Nibbled

When it comes to Thanksgiving calorie consumption, our bet is that the cook takes the cake. Realizing we are partly to blame—after all, we did rank "Not Tasting as You Go Along" number one on our list of Most Common Cooking Mistakes—we give you this fun calorie count to show just how quickly a nibble here and a sip there can add up.

Photo: Randy Mayor

10:00 AM

Stack the cake layers and mix the frosting. Lick spatula...

75 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

10:30 AM

Brown bacon for gratin. You're working hard—you deserve a slice...

42 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

11:00 AM

Toast bread cubes for stuffing. Need to keep energy up, so take opportunity to carbo-load...

15 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

11:35 AM

Whip heavy cream for pumpkin pie. Wonder if it's sweet enough? Good cooks taste as they go...

26 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

11:35 AM

Maybe a shot of Grand Marnier would liven up the cream. Better have a sip to see...

38 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

11:40 AM

Feel sudden burst of inspiration! Add dried cranberries to this year's stuffing. Sample a handful...

25 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

12:00 PM

Set out cheese plate for early arrivals. Munch as distant cousin provides update on impossibly perfect children. Try not to roll eyes...

57 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

12:05 PM

Return to kitchen. Down dregs of first glass of wine. Immediately pour another...

125 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

12:15 PM

The warm crunch of perfectly toasted pecans is impossible to resist...five times...

49 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

12:30 PM

Pull beautiful bird from the oven. Before tenting with foil and letting meat rest, pry off juicy chunk of thigh meat (with skin, of course) when no one is looking...

48 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

1:00 PM

While blanching green beans, realize you're probably short on the day's recommeded vegetable servings...

9 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

1:10 PM

As you prep topping for sweet potato casserole, 6 mini marshmallows "accidentally fall on the floor..."

13 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

1:15 PM

The roasted Brussels sprouts are done. Still short on veggies...

15 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

1:20 PM

Drop heated rolls into bread basket. One didn't turn out pretty. There's only one way to get rid of it...

106 Calories

Photo: Randy Mayor

1:28 PM - 1:30 PM

One last swig from the wineglass...

106 Calories

And everything is ready...

768 Total Calories

Now on to the meal...