Chinese New Year may be a time to indulge, but don’t undo all your hard work in January just yet. You mitigate the damage just by watching your intake when it comes to these 5 common Chinese New Year goodies. These are the biggest offenders in terms of calories, so be mindful when eating them!
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Bak Kwa
These sweet and salty barbecued slices of pork meat are a staple during Chinese New Year, and everyone loves them. It’s hard not to, when it is so delicious! However, one slice of bak kwa is equivalent to about 300 calories, which makes up about slightly more than 15% of our recommended daily caloric intake. It’s also high in fat and sodium, which can contribute to cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Kueh Lapis
Kueh Lapis is another beloved Chinese New Year goodie. This buttery layered cake is Indonesian in origin, and means ‘sweet layers’. It is rightly name, for it is truly a decadent treat. Don’t be deceived by the small slices — each slice hides as much as 237 calories. According to CNA, that’ll take you a 35 minute swim to burn it all off! High in saturated fat and sugar, this is one item you want to be wary of.
Pineapple Tarts
There’s a reason why everyone loves these — the pastry is extremely buttery and delicious. A mere pineapple tart isn’t that offensive in terms of calories, at around 93 calories. However, the real danger comes in when you mindlessly continue popping them into your mouth. 5 consecutive pieces add up to a grand total of close to 500 calories! That’s more than a meal!
Nian Gao
While this starchy cake doesn’t pose much harm on its own, the problem is that no one actually eats it as it. It is fried, and then eaten. Two small pieces can add up to 380 calories, the equivalent of 6 slices of white bread. Choke full of fat and sugar, this is another item you want to be careful around!
Peanut and Sesame Candy
Peanut and sesame candy is popular Chinese treat eaten not just during Chinese New Year, but all year round. Unfortunately, it is also high in fat and sugar, which one piece amounting to around 200 calories. While you certainly can and should still enjoy them, be sure to thinking twice before embarking on that third piece!
While Chinese New Year goodies are an integral part of Chinese New Year, if you want to stick to your 2021 resolution of losing weight and keeping healthy, cutting down on these is a good way to start. Plus, you’re bound to gain weight over Chinese New Year with all the feasting anyway, so why not minimise the impact?
VaniZine wishes you a Happy Niu Year!
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