Can one big meal really make you gain weight?

Can one big meal really make you gain weight? The post-holiday scale spike is temporary--unless the leftovers get involved. It's hard not to indulge during the holidays, but can the occasional big meal really harm our long-term health? Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. For those of us brave enough to step onto the scale the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can sometimes see an increase of up to five to 10 pounds.