What’s Chinese New Year without some tasty, buttery pineapple tarts? Savour every bite of these though, because just four pieces of pineapple tarts already contain more calories than a bowl of rice.

You need to walk 28 minutes to burn off the calories.

Alternative: Nothing can really replace the pineapple tart but health-conscious trends have bakeries offering options with less or no sugar, so keep a lookout. Otherwise, go for the other popular fruit instead — tangerines!

These slices of barbequed pork jerky are sticky, chewy and oh-so-tasty, but bak kwa is really one of the biggest calorie bombs during CNY. Eating just two slices already packs more calories than a plate of chicken rice or a bowl of laksa.

You need to walk 60 minutes to burn off the calories.

Alternative: Nothing applies like the old adage, “good things must share!” The best way to lessen the impact is to cut up the slice into smaller pieces and distribute! Or if you’re a pro in the kitchen, make a honey baked chicken version instead.

This tasty layered cake is actually made with copious amounts of butter and sugar. Share a slice with a friend if you really can’t resist.

You need to walk 1 hour 13 minutes to burn off the calories.

These mini sponge cakes are also known as kueh bahulu. These fluffy treats are a lower-calorie alternate if you want to nibble on something sweet.

You need to walk 10 minutes to burn off the calories.

Affectionately known as hae bee hiam, these tiny shrimp rolls are insanely addictive. The bad news? Each piece is deep fried and high in saturated fat – bummer for your waistline and your heart.

You need to walk 7 minutes to burn off the calories.

Alternative: Halt the snack attack with some melon seeds instead. The effort needed to crack them open slows the snacking and even if you go through two handfuls, that’s only half the calories at 40.

They soak up all the moisture in your mouth as the chalky cookie crumbles away. These flower-shaped treats are made from tapioca flour and coconut milk for that creamy mouthfeel, but don’t be fooled by the pretty appearance. They bode well for blessings and fertility but not for your waistline. At 15 calories apiece, they don’t offend as much as the rest, but we all know no one stops at one, or two… or three!

You need to walk 4 minutes 30 seconds to burn off the calories.

Alternative: You can divert the addictive eating to some groundnuts instead. Although two handfuls contain about 90 calories, it’s mainly healthy monounsaturated fats, fibre and protein that will make you feel full faster.

The combination of preserved vegetables, sesame seeds, fish and crackers is definitely tasty, but yu sheng is often drizzled in oil as well. Check out these healthy alternatives to traditional yu sheng here – at least you’ll be able to lo hei with less guilt.

You need to walk 2 hours 52 minutes to burn off the calories.

When it comes to perfectly fried prawn crackers, each piece leaves you wanting more. These savoury snacks may feel very light but are actually full of fat and cholesterol.

You need to walk 4 minutes 30 seconds to burn off the calories.

Not actual notes written for your beloved, these are thin and airy egg wafer rolls that crumble at the slightest bite. They are deceptive snacks as they melt quickly in the mouth. We wish the same disappearing act applies to the 56 calories and almost 5g of sugar that each roll has, no thanks to the amount of sugar, coconut milk, eggs and flour in the recipe.

You need to walk 17 minutes to burn off the calories.

Alternative: Soda crackers are just as crunchy and flaky, but only have 10 calories per piece.

This butter cookie is easily identified by the cashew nut on top of it. But don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s healthy just because it’s made with nuts – each piece still packs high amounts of fat and cholesterol.

You need to walk 19 minutes to burn off the calories.

This may not boast the lowest calorie count, but this is still the healthiest snack you can eat this CNY. Mandarin oranges are high in vitamins and fibre, plus they’re unprocessed and very low in fat.

You need to walk 12 minutes to burn off the calories.

A crunchy skin, a tacky, sweet inside — what’s not to like? The glutinous cake that is eaten during new year because the name (we Chinese love to be literal) means “higher year”, goes down easy. Bad news — it also goes straight to the tummy. One piece alone hits 190 calories and 55g of fat.

You need to walk 10 minutes to burn off the calories.

Ate a piece of everything? Well, you’re looking at walking 6 hours 57 minutes to burn off a total of 1,695 calories. Huat ah!

Text: Dawn Chen/Her World and Morgan Awyong
Photos: 123rf.com