You need to walk this much to burn calories from 2 gulab jamuns

Yes, even we cannot say no to gulab jamuns. But if you feel that all you need to do is walk a few extra steps to burn the calories after indulging in the sweet treat (deep-fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup) — you are wrong! It’s not us, Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad also says it is “not easy”.

Explaining the math, he wrote on X: “One would need to walk for one full extra hour to burn those 300 calories (approx.) gained from having two gulab jamuns.”

It is so?

Answering that burning question, Dr Rohini Patil, MBBS and nutritionist, founder, Nutracy Lifestyle said that the quantity of walking required is dependent upon multiple factors, such as body mass, metabolic rate, and degree of general physical activity. “But generally speaking, taking a vigorous 30-to 1-hour morning walk can help you burn calories and boost metabolism for the day,” she told indianexpress.com, adding that while it is “not easy”, it isn’t “impossible” either.

Dr Patil further informed that one gulab jamun will have about 150–200 calories. “So, if you’ve had two, it comes out to about 300–400 calories. To put this into perspective, an average individual can burn between 120 and 180 calories during a leisurely 30-minute stroll, whereas a vigorous 30-minute walk can burn between 200 and 300 calories,” she explained.

Therefore, to balance the calorie intake of having two gulab jamuns, you might want to aim for a rigorous walk of at least 30 to an hour in the morning.

Do you often indulge in sweet treats like gulab jamun? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

But it’s important to keep in mind that exercise should be a supplement to a healthy diet, not a way to excuse overindulgence, asserted Dr Patil. “Walking may reduce the adverse effects of eating sweets, but moderation and generally choosing healthier foods are still important,” said Dr Patil.

Along with helping burn extra calories, a walk can also offer additional health advantages including better cardiovascular health, elevated mood, and more energy all day, mentioned Dr Patil.

Some common habits/misconceptions that can adversely impact your health

1. “Let me have two extra gulab jamuns tonight. I will burn those extra calories during tomorrow morning’s walk.”
Fact: It is not that easy. One would need to walk for one full extra hour to burn those 300… pic.twitter.com/N93n2uF8nQ

— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) June 3, 2024

What is recommended?

While indulgence once in a while is considered okay, it ought not to become a daily affair. Also, you can improve your general health and fitness levels by including other physical activities, such as strength training or yoga, in your regimen in addition to walking as a general rule of thumb, said Dr Patil.

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