There is nothing wrong with choosing a few special treats during the holidays, but going overboard can undo weeks of healthy eating and exercise. Before you make the decision to cave into a craving, use this guide as a reminder of how hard you will have to work to offset the extra calories.

Candied Sweet Potatoes (1/2 cup)

Calories: 210

Burn it off: Walking at 3.5 miles per hour for 60 minutes.

Lighten it up: Serve baked sweet potatoes topped with 5 mini marshmallows. 172 calories

Gingerbread (1 slice)

Calories: 263

Burn it off: Fast ballroom dancing for 45 minutes.

Lighten it up: Choose 1 to 2 small gingerbread cookies instead. 150 to 200 calories

Peppermint Mocha (12 ounces, made with 2% milk and whipped cream)

Calories: 320

Burn it off: Weight training for 50 minutes.

Lighten it up: Ask for skim milk and no whipped cream. 220 calories

Eggnog (1 cup)

Calories: 342

Burn it off: Shoveling snow for 52 minutes.

Lighten it up: Choose light or low-fat eggnog and cut your serving to ½ cup. 140 calories

Homemade Pecan Pie (1 slice)

Calories: 502

Burn it off: Jogging 5.2 miles per hour for 48 minutes.

Lighten it up: Have only half a slice or choose a slice of pumpkin pie instead. 228 calories

*All calorie expenditures are based on a 150-pound female.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.