How long will it take to burn off that Halloween candy?
That's what the "Diet Detective" Dr. Charles Platkin is trying to find out. He's a distinguished lecturer and researcher at the Hunter College School of Urban Public Health and the City University of New York School of Public Health, both in New York City. Platkin reviews tape and data charts tirelessly to determine how many calories can be burned by everyday actions, and takes his findings to come up with unique ways to burn off the calories we're consuming during our national "food holidays" (see his Super Bowl guide for all you Sunday snackers).
Even though you may not be taking in full-sized portions of candy throughout the night, each chomp could add up to a scary number of calories. Keep clicking for Dr. Platkin's tricks for how to burn off the sweet treats this Halloween...
Fun size Milky Way
Specifically, you would need to do your hair, put on your makeup and get that costume ready for more than 27 consecutive minutes to burn off the calories contained in one fun size candy bar.
York Peppermint Pattie
You would need to ride your bike between 10 and 12 miles per hour for roughly 7.5 minutes to burn off the 53 calories contained in a single candy, according to Platkin.
Smarties
How? Just reach for an ax and chop firewood -- not only will you stave off that cool fall air, but the roll of Smarties will roll right off in less than five minutes.
Candy corn
If you march your way to your local Halloween parade -- and continue to march for almost 48 minutes -- you can work off the calories taken in from that handful of candy corn.
Pez
Peeps chocolate covered pumpkins
If you're looking to exercise those calories off, look no further than your lawn. Raking leaves for between 25 and 26 minutes will do the trick, according to Platkin's calculations.
Hershey's Kisses
To burn off the calories from eating only one, you may want to watch a scary movie -- scary enough to jump up and down from your seat 114 times, Platkin found.
Dum Dums lollipop
Parents carrying their young toddlers from house-to-house to trick-or-treat will be glad to hear that lugging your kid around burns off about 6 calories per minute. In a shade over four minutes, you'll shed off the Dum Dum, according to Platkin.
Charms Blow Pop or Tootsie Pop
Assuming your children also had some candy, you’d need to chase them for nearly 13 minutes straight to run off the calories from just one pop. Platkin notes these calories are only actually burned when you’re active.
Haribo 5-ounce Gold Bears
Instead of chowing down a pack, why not volunteer and pack boxes filled with candy to be sent to U.S. military personnel overseas at Operation Gratitude? Platkin points out packing boxes of candy for the troops burns off about 4 calories per minute. After about 32 minutes, you’ll have burned off those gummies and have done a good deed.
Pumpkin seeds
You can dance the calories off after 27 minutes, he calculates.
Candy apple
Why not burn off these calories by picking for real apples? Platkin found you would need to go apple picking for more than 71 minutes to shed the calories you'd obtain from eating one candy apple.
Twizzlers
If you're in a decorating mood, you can burn off the candy after almost 10 minutes of non-stop decorating, Platkin calculated.
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers
If you're looking to curb a child's calorie intake this Halloween, why not try a toy like bubbles or putty, asks Platkin?
"It might be worth a try, although it might cost a bit more -- at the very least you'll be promoting good health," he said.
