Experts have revealed how many steps are needed to burn off the calories in popular Christmas foods and drinks – and it’s good news for lovers of champagne and cider.
The figures come from an index released by WeWard, a walking app that rewards users for the number of steps they take.
Researchers analysed the calories in standard servings of festive food and drink, then converted them into the number of steps and walking time required for an average adult walking at a moderate pace.
Among drinks, champagne topped the list as the easiest to burn off. A single glass contains around 90 calories, requiring just 1,692 steps – just a 17-minute walk.
Joint second were wine and cider, both containing 120 calories, which would take 2,256 steps or around 23 minutes to burn off.
In third place was the mimosa, which contains about 140 calories and would require 2,632 steps, or a 26-minute walk.
Even drinks further down the list did not require much longer walks.
An espresso martini, for example, contains around 160 calories and would need 3,000 steps – about half an hour of walking – to offset.
A hot toddy made with whisky, honey, lemon and spices would take 3,196 steps, or roughly 32 minutes, to burn off.
None of the drinks analysed required more than 40 minutes of walking.
Hot chocolate ranked third highest, requiring 3,647 steps, equivalent to a 36-minute walk.
Eggnog and beer topped the list, needing 3,948 and 3,910 steps respectively – both around 39 minutes of walking.
The index also analysed festive foods, including several staples of a traditional British Christmas dinner.
Roast turkey was the easiest to burn off, with a standard portion containing 142 calories. This would require 2,858 steps, or a 29-minute walk.
However, the researchers noted this estimate is based on a set portion size, meaning larger servings would require more walking.
Roast potatoes ranked second, containing around 190 calories and requiring 3,572 steps – about 36 minutes of walking.
Stuffing proved the most demanding. A portion contains around 356 calories and would require 6,693 steps, or roughly 67 minutes, to burn off – more than double the time needed for roast turkey.
Health experts have long advised that increasing daily step counts can improve heart health, aid weight loss and boost mental wellbeing, with 10,000 steps a day often cited as a popular goal.
However, research published earlier this year suggests a more modest approach may still bring major benefits.
Scientists found that building a steady 15-minute walk into the day could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and early death.
Those who walked consistently for around 15 minutes a day saw their risk of early death fall by up to 85 per cent compared with people who only walked in short five-minute bursts.
The researchers concluded that ‘modest changes in step patterns, without dramatic increases in step number’, could still deliver meaningful health benefits.
