Average Person Expects To Gain 8 Pounds During The Holidays

Author Morty

November 16th, 2023 3:44 PM

Holiday weight gain from over eating is a real thing.

We all know that during the holidays, we over indulge in all the good food! A lot of us are on diets and tend to break our diets during the holidays.

I’m On A Diet, I Won’t Gain Weight

We say to ourselves, “I can just have one or two of these cookies and I’ll be fine.” That turns into a snowball effect. Next thing you know, you ate the whole tray of cookies. But there are also those who are determined and very strict minded. Those people won’t veer off their diet track. But if you’re not one of those hardcore dieters, you’ll probably fall into the group of people who will gain weight during the holidays. And for the record, it’s not a bad thing.

Americans Can Expect To Gain At Least 8 Pounds Before The End of The Year

According to studyfinds.org, a survey was done a couple years ago that involved about 2,000 Americans. They made sure these 2,000 people celebrated the holidays, because they’d be more likely to go to gatherings or make a meal to celebrate it. The results showed that some people were in fact determined to stick to their diet or would partake in a holiday meal, but be real cautious of what they ate. But as you can guess, majority of the people asked said they would most likely over indulge.

Past years, the weight gain total was less. It was averaged to about six pounds people would gain. Fast forward to today, it’s now eight pounds and probably growing.

Does Gaining Weight Concern Most People?

When asked whether they’re concerned about gaining weight during the holiday, Study Finds found that about 90% of those asked don’t really care or are not concerned about weight gain. A survey done by OnePoll for Herbalife Nutrition showed that about 61% of people feel they deserve to enjoy all foods and snacks during the holidays. So those cookies, and brownies, and that extra few sides don’t even phase them. What’s more funny is the results also showed that 48 percent of those surveyed had to undo their pants button.

So where do you fall in this? Do you care about weight gain during the holidays? Or are you gonna stick to your diet and avoid certain foods and snacks?

We have more on this story in today’s edition of a Few Things You Should Know!

Morty is the Executive Producer of “The Mike And Carla Morning Show” on 96.3 KKLZ. He's been a part of the show and station for 5 years. Aside from producing the morning show, he has served as production director for over 20 years. Those commercials you hear between the music, he produced a lot of them for Las Vegas! He loves music, playing guitar, all things Vegas Golden Knights, the Steelers, and his English Bulldog, Squish! He will talk forever with you on any of these things! Morty writes about peculiar news stories and Las Vegas happenings.

5 Festive Vegetarian Dish Picks for Your Holiday Table

If you’re on the hunt for some tasty meatless alternatives to the usual Thanksgiving turkey or just want to mix things up with veggie-packed sides, there are several vegetarian recipes that are perfect for holiday get-togethers.

Thanksgiving often revolves around the star of the show, which is obviously the turkey. But some of the best holiday casseroles and sides are either vegetarian or can be easily tweaked to be. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to try something new, there’s no reason you can’t have a wonderful holiday feast.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits.

The holiday season brings plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables to choose from. These include squash, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more. These fall vegetables offer heartiness without the need for meat. Meanwhile, fruits like apples and pears provide versatile options beyond the usual pie offerings.

Your typical Thanksgiving spread has many options that work for vegans and vegetarians alike. Green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are just some of the veg-friendly choices available.

Kitchen tips.

If your kitchen is more used to handling meat, you might not have separate cutting boards and knives just for veggies. Just make sure to thoroughly wash utensils before transitioning to vegetable prep. This is done to avoid any cross-contamination, such as dicing bacon on the same board used for chopping green beans.

Even for guests who typically consume meat and dairy, those who don’t eat meat often share the same appreciation for sweet treats. Offering a vegan dessert can be as straightforward as using coconut oil instead of butter in your pie pastry. Maybe opt for a pint of non-dairy ice cream.

Planning a holiday menu with vegetarian options might feel like a bit of a puzzle. This is especially true if you’re not used to it. To assist in your menu planning, we’ve compiled a list of vegetarian dishes that can grace your holiday table and keep your guests happy.

Stuffed Acorn Squash
Forget the turkey stuffing routine this Thanksgiving and go for something sweet, like acorn squash. Mix up your stuffing with veggies, herbs, and diced apple, bake it until it’s crispy on top, and serve with veggie gravy. This is a tasty twist for your holiday spread.

cheche22/ Getty Images
Meatless Meatballs
Dive into the savory goodness of meatless meatballs packed with quinoa, black beans, roasted veggies, and nutritional yeast. Easily turn them vegan by skipping the egg. Enjoy a flavorful alternative that’s both satisfying and plant-powered.

SilvaPinto1985/ Getty Images
Butternut Squash Baked Ziti
Shake up your holiday menu with butternut squash baked ziti. This baked pasta dish has a creamy butternut squash sauce, generous layers of cheese, and a crispy panko topping. Whether served as a main dish or a smaller side portion, this butternut squash pasta bake will surely be a favorite.

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Parmesan Cheese-stuffed Mushrooms
Keep it simple and delicious with Parmesan cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Just grab whole mushrooms, green onions, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. Sauté, stuff, bake, and you have a crowd-pleasing snack in no time. You can even swap out the whole mushrooms with peppers.

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Vegan Carrot Cake
No holiday meal is complete without dessert. Try your hand at a gluten-free carrot cake with vegan cream cheese frosting. Crafted with vegan-friendly, gluten-free ingredients like almond flour and coconut oil, this sweet treat is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, vanilla, and, of course, carrots.

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