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Sweat vs. sweets: The workout math behind holiday treats

Holiday food background for baking gingerbread cookies in a small paper box decorated on rustic green table. Top view on cookies.The holidays are filled with friends, family and all the delicious seasonal treats like hot cocoa, gingerbread and more. Maurice Puyau, a senior exercise physiologist with the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, helps us break down the calories and the amount of exercise needed to work off some holiday favorites.

How long would it take a 150-pound person to burn each of these holiday treats?

Food/drink

Calories

Minutes to burn food

Watching TV

Walking

3 mph

Running

6 mph

Biking

10 mph

Hot cider

100 91 25 7 11

Hot cocoa (made with water) with marshmallows

120 109 30 9 13

Hot cocoa (made with milk) with marshmallows

220

200 55 16

24

Eggnog without alcohol

225

205 56 16

25

Eggnog with alcohol

530

482 133 38

59

Slice of fruitcake

370

336 93 26

41

Figgy pudding

567

515 142 41

63

Peppermint bark (4 oz)

600

545 150 43

67

Iced sugar cookies (2 -3)

480

436 120 34

53

Large gingerbread person

300

273 75 21

33

Gingerbread house fully decorated 3,500 3,182 875 250

389

 

By Anna Kiappes

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