Thanksgiving Cook Calorie Guide - Cooking Light

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

Start Slideshow

1 of 16

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.

2 of 16

10:00 AM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

75 Calories

3 of 16

10:30 AM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

42 Calories

4 of 16

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 16

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 16

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

7 of 16

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 16

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 16

12:05 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

125 Calories

10 of 16

12:15 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

49 Calories

11 of 16

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 16

1:00 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

9 Calories

13 of 16

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 16

1:15 PM

Photo: Randy Mayor

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

15 Calories

15 of 16

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

16 of 16

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...

Replay gallery

Account

What the Thanksgiving Cook Nibbled

1 of 16

What the Thanksgiving Cook Nibbled

1 of 16

2 of 16

10:00 AM

2 of 16

3 of 16

10:30 AM

3 of 16

4 of 16

11:00 AM

4 of 16

5 of 16

11:35 AM

5 of 16

6 of 16

11:35 AM

6 of 16

7 of 16

11:40 AM

7 of 16

8 of 16

12:00 PM

8 of 16

9 of 16

12:05 PM

9 of 16

10 of 16

12:15 PM

10 of 16

11 of 16

12:30 PM

11 of 16

12 of 16

1:00 PM

12 of 16

13 of 16

1:10 PM

13 of 16

14 of 16

1:15 PM

14 of 16

15 of 16

1:20 PM

15 of 16

16 of 16

1:28 PM - 1:30 PM

16 of 16

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery