Junk foods may be irresistible, but they are synonymous with unhealthy fats, sugars, and salts that are harmful to your health.

While it’s essential to eat healthy foods, people still indulge in these unhealthy foods, leading to weight gain and an increase in body fat.

The easiest way to counteract this effect is through exercise. It is a given that when we exercise, our body burns calories, and we lose weight. But how much exercise is needed to burn off those high-calorie burgers, fries, and pizzas?.

In this article, we will tell you the equivalent exercise times needed to burn off some of your favorite junk foods.

Understanding Caloric Burn and Exercise Calories

Caloric burn is the number of calories your body uses throughout the day to keep you moving and functioning. When you consume more calories than you burn, your body stores the excess calories as body fat mass.

The more calories you consume and store, the more body fat mass you gain.

Exercise calories, on the other hand, are the calories you burn during a workout session or activity. These calories increase your daily caloric burn, helping you burn more overall calories and reducing your body fat mass.

Junk Foods and Their Equivalent Exercise Times

Here is a list of some common junk foods and the amount of exercise needed to burn off their calories.

Fast Food Burger (500 Calories)

A fast food hamburger is typically around 500 calories, and it takes about an hour of cycling at a moderate pace (12-13.9mph/19-22.4 km/h) to burn off the calories.

Medium Order of Fries (365 Calories)

A medium order of fries typically contains around 365 calories. Thirty minutes of weight lifting can burn off the calories from the fries.

One Slice of Cheese Pizza (285 Calories)

One slice of cheese pizza contains approximately 285 calories. Thirty minutes of moderate intensity (3.5mph/5.6 km/h) on a treadmill can burn off the calories from the slice of pizza.

Medium Chocolate Milkshake (710 Calories)

A medium chocolate milkshake contains around 710 calories. It would take an hour-long high-intensity Zumba session to burn off the calories.

One Can of Regular Soda (140 Calories)

A can of soda usually contains around 140 calories. A quick 15 minutes on the stair climber can burn off the calories from a can of soda.

One Slice of Cake (240 Calories)

One slice of cake has around 240 calories. Forty-five minutes of moderate intensity (3.5 mph/5.6 km/h) on an elliptical can burn off the calories from a slice of cake.

Small Bag of Potato Chips (160 Calories)

A small bag of potato chips contains around 160 calories. Twenty minutes of jumping jacks can burn off the calories from the chips.

One Cup of Mac and Cheese (350 Calories)

A cup of mac and cheese contains around 350 calories. It would take an hour-long Pilates session to burn off the calories from this comfort food.

Jelly Beans (140 Calories/15 Pieces)

Jelly beans have approximately 140 calories for every 15 pieces. Thirty minutes of brisk walking can burn off the calories from 15 jelly beans.

Candy Bar (250 Calories)

A candy bar contains around 250 calories. Thirty minutes of circuit training can burn off the calories from a candy bar.

Conclusion: The Importance of Exercise in Diet

Exercising and eating healthily are fundamental components of a healthy lifestyle. Junk foods contain high amounts of calories and fats, which can lead to weight gain and an increase in body fat mass.

However, by exercising and burning off these excess calories, you can mitigate their effects on your body and maintain a healthy weight.

By taking note of the exercise times equivalent to your favorite junk foods, you can motivate yourself to exercise and burn off the calories. Remember, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall body function and longevity.