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What the Thanksgiving Cook Nibbled

November 01, 2010
Photo: Randy Mayor
A taste here, a bite there, a sip to smooth the way—the Thanksgiving journey from kitchen to table adds up. For fun, we did the math. By: Phillip Rhodes
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What the Thanksgiving Cook Nibbled

Photo: Randy Mayor

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.

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10:00 AM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

75 Calories

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10:30 AM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

42 Calories

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4 of 17

11:00 AM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

15 Calories

5 of 17

11:35 AM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

26 Calories

6 of 17

11:35 AM

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

38 Calories

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7 of 17

11:40 AM

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

25 Calories

8 of 17

12:00 PM

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

57 Calories

9 of 17

12:05 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor
Return to kitchen. Down dregs of first glass of wine. Immediately pour another...

125 Calories

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10 of 17

12:15 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor
The warm crunch of perfectly toasted pecans is impossible to resist...five times...

49 Calories

11 of 17

12:30 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

12 of 17

1:00 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

9 Calories

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13 of 17

1:10 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

13 Calories

14 of 17

1:15 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

15 Calories

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1:20 PM

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

106 Calories

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16 of 17

1:28 PM - 1:30 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor
One last swig from the wineglass...

106 Calories

And everything is ready...

768 Total Calories 

Now on to the meal...

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