The Best Mardi Gras Foods, Graphed With Science

On the last day before Lent, it’s important to use the real estate in your belly efficiently. Filling up on gumbo or beignets is a rookie mistake, the equivalent of eating a whole basket of bread at the buffet. You might have to go out of your way to find paczki (here’s a helpful map, but many bakeries will have an hour-long wait or sell out), but they’re worth it. Or there’s milk punch, a fitting send off for anyone who plans on giving up dairy for Lent. Whatever you do, remember which foods may contain dangerous levels of plastic baby: