Maybe this isn't the most appropriate forum? I dunno...

Lately I've been chewing a lot of gum. One stick of my sugarless brand has 5 calories. I usually make a stick last 30-60 mins (because I'm a cheapskate not because of the calories) and I'm wondering: Do I burn off the 5 calories that I consume by chewing the gum?

I know it sounds frivolous but I've been alotting about 100 calories a day to gum (that number includes a piece or two of sugary 25 cal per piece gum). 100 calories is a sizable snack to me and I'd like it back! I checked caloriesperhour dot com and they didn't have chewing gum listed.

What do you guys think? How many calories do you think you burn by chomping on something?

I don't know if I should be counting my gum calories or not

Wow, you are right on target! You burn an extra 11 calories per hour chewing gum, so that cancels it out

From Men's Fitness magazine:

I like Bubblicious watermelon or strawberry, it keeps my mouth busy when it could be doing naughty, high calorie things, so I enjoy it from time to time. Only 25 calories.

I like to chew gum while making dinner. Helps me from "picking" at the food that I "just have to taste test"

So I figure, even though it may be added calories....I'm saving myself a lot more by chewing while making dinner.


(ok, so I didn't help w/the question, but I thought I would add my 2cents in)

I chew orbit sugar free fruit flavoured whitening gum. yum.

Awesome! I'm sooo glad to see that the calories probably cancel out! I doubt I need to remind anyone here how big of a treat 100 calories can be elsewhere (for me it's a serving of lowcal yogurt, a fig newton with a smidgen of peanut butter, a big dish of berries, and apple, a banana....). I'd much rather have the 100 cal in food than have to worry about alotting it to gum!

Thanks for your super quick response, Suzanne! I couldn't find the calories per hour anywhere. You are an

Suchaprettyface and Hoofbeats: I've tried both of your suggestions and like them both as well

And Marti, you have a good point about gum deterring food picking. I am a HUGE picker and it definitely makes me think twice before doing so. And if it can do that, then it's prolly earns it's caloric keep right there

Thanks everyone!

I chew about 6 packs or MORE of gum a day!!!! ORBIT BABY! Oh man, I dont know what I would do with out it! It is just so satisfying!!!
I really hope it doesnt add on the calories, but I dont think it does because I have been chewing this much for over 1 1/2 years and well.....I am still pretty much the same weight!!

I like the Dentyne Fire gum (5 cal/2pieces) and Super Bubble Bubble Gum