How many crunches does it take to burn off that fun-sized Crunch bar from Halloween?

It’s Halloween – of course you can treat yourself! Just don’t let the term “fun-sized” trick you. Even though they’re bite-sized pieces of candy, the calories can add up quickly. Here are a few stats that might help you think twice before reaching for that eighth Reese’ Peanut Butter Cup from your kid’s candy stash:

• One 60-calorie Crunch bar means 150 crunches.
• It takes 7 minutes of jogging at a 10-minute-mile pace to burn off the 110 calories from a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
• Do you have 26 minutes to do Pilates? That’s how long it takes to burn the 63 calories in a 3 Musketeers.
• 17 minutes of burpees are required to burn off the calories in a bite-sized Snickers (160 calories).
• It takes 225 sit-ups or 14 minutes of lunges to work off about 19 pieces of the Halloween classic, Candy Corn.
• 90 calories worth of Peanut M&M’s means 13 minutes of hiking.
• If you prefer fruity candy over chocolate, you need to do 534 jumping jacks to cancel out roughly 16 Skittles totaling 80 calories.

We’re not saying don’t indulge in Halloween candy this season, but remember everything is better in moderation. This list is to give you an idea of what it take to burn those candy calories. There are also healthier Halloween handouts to help you stay on track such as fresh fruit, Larabar Mini’s, and Kind All Fruit Bars. Remember, a good rule of thumb to lessen the temptation is out of sight, out of mind. Don’t let your kids, or yourself, keep candy in other rooms. Leave it in the kitchen cupboard, not out on the counter for all to see and grab mindlessly.

---

Whitney Gilmore, Clinical Nutritionist
Baton Rouge General Health and Wellness Center

Phone: (225) 819-1175