As Thanksgiving approaches, we at Innerbody Research wanted to share our survey results on this holiday’s most loved and hated aspects. You can view our full study here:
Editor’s note: We’ve previously covered a research study from this organization about the most popular candies for Halloween🎃, the biggest time of year for candy🍬 overall.
Here are some of the key takeaways from our survey:
The joys (and stresses) of Thanksgiving
For most Americans, Thanksgiving Day is defined by annual traditions and routines. About 41.3% of people believe spending time with loved ones is the most important part of Thanksgiving. But while the holidays can be a sweet time of reconnection, they’re not all sunshine and roses for everyone. Our survey found that 2 out of every 5 respondents dread hosting Thanksgiving the most.
What’s on the Thanksgiving table?
Our survey found that in New York, turkey and mashed potatoes are an absolute must-have at the dinner table. In addition, whether roasted to perfection or smoked for a unique twist, turkey remains the king of this festive meal nationwide!
But the holiday feast doesn’t stop there! Mashed potatoes have emerged as the top side dish in at least 13 states. On the other hand, bread rolls, corn, and cheesy potatoes have surprisingly fallen out of favor nationwide.
Want to see the full breakdown? Check out the most popular Thanksgiving dish by state below:
Here are some other surprising things we learned:
88% of people surveyed believe that knowing the history of Thanksgiving is important. However, over 20% of respondents find Thanksgiving extremely or very stressful. The average expenditure on groceries for the big day is about $226.
For a bird’s-eye view of the data, check out our infographic
Thanksgiving leftovers and most stressful aspects of the holiday:
Happy almost Thanksgiving!
Banner Image: Favorite foods map. Image Credit – Innerbody Research
InnerBody Research
We're Innerbody — researchers, scientists, and medical professionals with a shared mission: To provide objective, science-based information and advice that helps you make health-related decisions and enjoy a healthier, happier lifestyle. Our experienced research team tests, analyzes, and compares your best options, sparing you the time and money so you can make quick, confident progress toward your health goals. And together, we strive to put common health concerns in broader context with research studies and pertinent analyses that illuminate the complex picture of health in the United States.