The holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, and food is usually a huge part of the celebration. Food is part of culture and heritage, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, family recipes and ethnic or regional dishes are one of the things that makes holiday meals so special. As a bariatric patient, Thanksgiving, and the weeks that follow, are intimidating. Food is a large part of the festivities and is nothing short of carb-filled goodness. We want to provide you with information to help you track your Thanksgiving dinner calories while also still enjoying your meal with loved ones.

Counting Your Thanksgiving Dinner Calories

It is recommended that bariatric patients who are a year or more out from weight loss surgery eat less than 75 grams of carbs a day and aim for 70 to 120 grams of protein. However these guidelines will vary depending on your activity level, your sex, your height, and how far out you are from surgery. Based on the image below, if a patient were to eat one serving of each food item, they would consume around 2,000 calories and 231 carbs. That is nearly three times the recommended amount of carbs that a bariatric patient should consume in a day!

We know that life happens, and we want you to enjoy it. Yet we encourage you to look at these nutrition facts before piling your plate high with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Understanding the calories and macros that make up each favorite Thanksgiving dish may help curb your carb count this Thanksgiving! Also, remember to fill your plate with protein and veggies before loading up on the carbs. Here’s a quick graphic to help you count your Thanksgiving dinner calories.