The healthy foods that are high in calories

We've all got our favourite healthy foods that we believe are light in calories, but you're in for a surprise.

While these foods may be good for you, you still need to check the calories and find ways to burn them. 

Here's how much each food item contains and how to burn it off.

Popcorn

Air popped popcorn can be a great low-calorie snack, but not all kernels are created equal. One small bag of popcorn at the movies could be loaded with up to 630 calories and 50 grams of fat! You're better off popping your own popcorn at home.

Running at 5 mph could help you burn 606 calories per hour if you weigh 73kgs.

Pecans

These nuts are a great source of protein, heart-healthy fat, and tons of vitamins and minerals. These tasty nuts are rich in calories, but 28 grams of pecan halves contain 196 calories. Stick to a single handful of the healthy snack to reap the benefits without packing on kilos. 

To burn these calories, you could try riding a bicycle or running on the treadmill for about an hour.

Olive Oil

Just two tablespoons of olive oil add 238 calories to your meal. Olive oil is full of healthy fat (the kind that may even help you drop pounds), just remember that it's also full of calories, so use it sparingly.

Coconut milk

Coconut milk may have the potential to speed up your metabolism and help boost your weight-loss efforts, but that doesn't make it calorie-free. One cup of coconut milk carries 552 calories and an astounding 57 grams of fat! Be sure to check your favorite brand's label and try to find one with 100 calories or less per serving.

Playing tennis will help you burn 584 calories per hour if you weigh 73kgs.

Trail mix, otherwise known as fancy 'padkos'

This seemingly healthy snack can give you 700 calories per cup! It includes a wide range of ingredients, but you're almost always better off skipping store-bought brands and making your own at home. 

Our suggestion: Mix 28 grams of walnuts with a teaspoon each of raisins and chocolate chips. The result is a satisfying snack for about 250 calories.

Running up some stairs could help you burn 657 calories per hour when you weigh 73kgs.

Yummy dates!

These naturally sweet and chewy fruits are a delicious and healthy alternative to sweets, but dates contain about 23 calories each! If you want to munch on these, do consider brisk walking for at least an hour. 

Broccoli soup

Depending on how it's prepared, one cup of cream of broccoli soup could set you back almost 500 calories! Our advice, make your own soup at home using lighter ingredients.

If you're into basketball, you could burn 584 calories per hour playing this sport if you weigh just over 70kgs. 

Unfreeze and get healthy with us on the 8th of September at Loftus Versfeld for this year's Discovery Jacaranda FM Spring Walk.

Register here: