Studies have shown that we gain between 1lb – 13lbs over the Christmas period. The average Christmas meal contains 1992kcal, with most of them coming from starchy favourite roast potatoes, protein packed turkey and the classic Christmas pudding. Overall, this amounts to almost an entire daily calorie intake. According to the NHS, adults aged 19-64 should do a minimum of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate aerobic activity (cycling or fast walking) and strength-related exercises (weight lifting or yoga) on two days or more every week. In reality less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, with time limitations being the main cause.
Did you know that in order to burn 1992kcal (the average Christmas dinner), you will need to run for 125 minutes, cycle for 175 minutes or walk for 250 minutes. Swing dancing for 1 hour can burn 300-550 kcal, which is equivalent to three roast potatoes; whilst the more intensive break dancing will burn 400-650kcal per hour, amounting to three glasses of mulled wine. Kissing a Colleague under Mistletoe (or Santa if you can catch him) can burn 120kcal while 15 minutes of laughter will burn 10-40kcal. Surprisingly, singing for 30 minutes can burn 68kcal, so start practicing your favourite Christmas hit! (Stats from Gina Hutchings at Discount Supplements.)
And on that interesting assessment, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
This news item first appeared in Desang Diabetes Magazine, our free-to-receive digital journal. We cover diabetes news, diabetes management equipment (diabetes kit) and news about food suitable for a diabetic diet. Go to the top of this page to sign up – we just need your email address.
