thanksgiving portions....

The average American gobbles down more than 4,500 calories on Turkey Day, but that number can be easily slashed — starting with some basic portion control. But what’s 4 ounces, 78 grams, or a ¼ cup exactly? Follow this serving size guide for a smarter (but still enjoyable!) holiday meal — minus the elastic-waisted pants.

Turkey

Serving Size Equivalent: Deck of CardsTwelve-pound turkey for two? Turns out that big bird could (and should!) feed more than just a Kate Plus Eight-size family. Opt instead for a 4-ounce portion of the lean meat, which can pack up to 32 grams of protein (more than half of what’s recommended daily). More active than most? Go ahead and carve up some seconds, just opt for skinless meat to keep it nice n’ lean.

Cranberry Sauce

Serving Size Equivalent: Spool of ThreadCall it a side, a sauce, or the most magical condiment around, this is one Thanksgiving staple that’s hard to pass up. And though a single ½ cup serving offers a healthy dose of vitamin C and antioxidants, it can also pack a whopping 52 grams of sugar, or 18 percent of the recommended daily value (and the pies aren’t even out yet!). Opt for recipes with no sugar added to keep those empty calories to a minimum.

Dinner Roll

Serving Size Equivalent: Tennis BallOh, warm n’ crusty bread basket, how we love you so. But chances are those orbit-sized rolls havemore carbs than they’re worth (plus who can resist a little butter, too?). If there’s a choice of breads on the table, opt for whole wheat for a heftier dose of B vitamins and fiber to stay fuller longer. And stick to no more than a tennis ball-sized roll (unless being rolled outta there is an option).

Brussels Sprouts

Serving Size Equivalent: Four Lego MenWhat’s half a cup of Brussels sprouts exactly? Four Lego, of course! The pay-off: a mega-dose ofvitamins A, C, and K, not to mention B6, folate, potassium, manganese, and heart-healthy dietary fiber. Just watch out for recipes that sneak in cheese, butter, or lots of oil.

Gravy

Serving Size Equivalent: Golf BallHoppin’ on the gravy train is tempting — especially on Turkey Day. But it’s no secret the stuff can beheavy on the sodium, and often high in fat. So if the turkey or mashed potatoes need a little lovin’, limit that serving size to a quarter cup, or about the size of a golf ball.

Stuffing

Serving Size Equivalent: Bar of SoapThe name pretty much says it all with this carb-heavy dish. While there are plenty of stuffing recipes low in fat and cholesterol, 20 grams of carbs for every 28-gram serving is nothing to be thankful for. Oh right, it’s delicious, though… For a more guilt-free version of the good stuff, try opting for a whole wheat version packed with healthy seasonal veggies instead.

Corn Bread

Serving Size Equivalent: Combination LockThis scrumptious southern comfort food may be making its way to a Thanksgiving table near you. Problem is: just one 50-gram piece packs a quarter of the sodium needed in a day, plus a hefty dose of fat and carbs. Can’t do without the crumbly corn dish? Go with an enriched batch for an extra boost of B vitamins and iron.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Serving Size Equivalent: Altoids BoxVitamin A, calcium, and iron in every batch? Not so fast. This Thanksgiving favorite can also rack up a surprising amount of sugar, sodium, and fat. And if there are marshmallows toasted on top, best to think of this as dessert, not dinner. For a healthier alternative, try this.

Mashed Potatoes

Serving Size Equivalent: Scotch TapeSmashed, mashed, or whipped, these starchy veggies make the classic American side dish. But limit that scoop to just a half-cup to avoid fat, carb, and sodium overload (not to mention that inevitable food coma). As a general guideline, the USDA recommends just three cups of starchy vegetables per week. Total.

Pumpkin Pie

Serving Size Equivalent: Light BulbNo Thanksgiving’s complete without some silky-smooth pumpkin pie. But that portion shouldn’t cover the whole plate. Opting for just a light bulb-sized slice is a brighter idea, with about 50% of the daily vitamin A recommended daily, plus some vitamin K, calcium, and iron to boot. The downside: a slice this small still racks up about 160 calories, 13 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of fat. For a healthier treat, try whipping up this Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding.

Is there a place for portion control at your Thanksgiving table? Tell us your game day strategy in the comments below, or tweet Jordan directly at @jshakeshaft. 

**found at http://greatist.com/health/serving-size-thanksgiving-portion-guide/