Being mindful of the amount of calories in the foods we consume is key and very practical in keeping an effective weight management regimen. But sometimes, indulging in certain “comfort foods” which are mainly junk foods becomes quite hard to resist.
Junk foods are usually loaded with calories with little or no nutritional value. Yielding to them frequently may be detrimental especially for someone on a weight loss journey. However, if one is aware of the calorie content in some of these foods and the amount of exercises needed to burn off the calories, limiting consumption to the barest minimal or a total do-without might just be easy. Don’t you think so?
Imagine enjoying a chilled drink of coke knowing well that just 33cl of it contains 139 calories. Burning that off entails – 14 minutes of intense cardio (running, swimming, skipping, cycling) OR 19 minutes of strength training/body building moves using weights. Wow, right?
Are you a lover of KFC chicken and chips? A large portion of KFC French fries packs about 430 calories. Combine this with 3 KFC crispy chicken pieces with a whooping 570 calories! To use up these 1000 calories, you’ll need 2hrs 3minutes of intense cardio OR 2hrs 45minutes of strength training and dumb bell moves.
A 450g of chocolate cake without frosting contains about 1670 calories. To burn off these calories, be ready to do: 60 minutes aerobics (505 calories) + 60 minutes medium intense Pilates (450 calories) + 60 minutes skipping (720 calories) = 3 hours of moderate exercising. Alternatively, 60 minutes of HIIT (High intensity interval training/workout – sprinting, swimming, rowing, stationary boxing and circuit training routines) can also be engaged to burn off these calories acquired within few minutes of pleasure.
Let’s take a look at the amount of calories in 3 common Naija foods and how to burn them up.
1 cup of garri which makes just about a wrap of eba has 360 calories. Brisk walking for about 3-4 miles within an hour will burn off 360 calories effectively.
A slice of white bread weighs about 25g with 66 calories. Consuming 4 slices is approximately 264 calories. To work off this, do 30 minutes on the statutory bike.
Can’t do without rice? Most people can’t. A cup of cooked long-grain white rice has 206 calories. Take an hour stroll after meal to burn up the calories and you’re good to go.
The calorie content in your choice of animal protein and cooking oil especially, plus how you cook your everyday meals should also be considered when calculating calorie intake. Hence, it pays to always use healthiest methods of cooking.
Are you willing to spend all hours of your day working out? I bet not!
Treats are awesome. Nevertheless, as gratifying as having some favourite snacks and foods may seem, it’s best to limit intake of junks and calorie-laden foods to as minimal as possible. And when serving, portion control is the word!