The Post-Workout Burrito Experience

You know that exhilarating feeling following a great workout? Your heart races, you're panting, and every sip of water feels like a refreshing relief. That's how I felt, yet I hadn’t just finished a run; I had merely devoured a burrito—just a burrito.

It sounds harmless enough, but here I am, feeling as if I’ve just completed a marathon. So, how did I end up in this spicy predicament?

My partner decided to grab burritos from our favorite spot nearby for lunch. Having indulged in them countless times, I requested my usual order. While placing the order, he asked if I wanted it spicy. The burritos already pack a punch, but I thought, “Why not?”

When he mentioned that the option read "Beware," I shrugged it off. "What the heck, I can handle the heat," I responded confidently.

The Science Behind the Spice

I don’t want to leave you with just my lunch saga; let’s delve into the science behind it, because why not?

Let’s discuss capsaicin, the likely culprit behind my spicy struggle.

Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, especially in their seeds, is a well-known irritant. If you’ve ever tasted a hot pepper's flesh versus its seeds, you understand the difference. It interacts with our sensory neurons, causing that burning, swelling, or itching sensation—what spice enthusiasts refer to as a delightful tingle.

This chemical also has interesting applications; its irritating properties make it effective as a pesticide and a counter-irritant in various medications.

Was That Burrito a Workout?

Now that we've had our fun with science, let’s return to the important question: Can I log my burrito as a workout?

Here are a few straightforward facts:

• Calories in a Burrito: Burritos typically contain between 400 and 850 calories. For my burrito, let's estimate around 700 calories.
• Calories Burned While Eating: Estimating this is trickier, as most resources focus on how much exercise is needed to burn those calories.

Instead, let’s consider that about 10% of daily caloric intake is expended through digestion. Since chewing is part of digestion, I can’t claim extra credit there. Thus, 10% of 700 calories equals approximately 70 calories burned.

Sigh.

Workout Definition: According to Merriam-Webster, a "workout" is "a practice or exercise to improve one’s fitness for athletic performance."

Burrito Definition: A "burrito" is defined as "a flour tortilla rolled or folded around a filling."

Final verdict: I can only count a burrito as a workout if I’m gearing up for a burrito-eating contest.

However, science lends some hope. My burrito was indeed spicy, and as per Penn Medicine, "Capsaicin may enhance your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories at rest and during exercise."

Conclusion: The Aftermath

In conclusion, I plan to enjoy the remaining half of my burrito for dinner. And yes, I’ll be stocking up on milk.

After a good workout, what’s better than a burrito? Check out this video for some great post-workout burrito ideas!

Curious about how quickly I can finish a Chipotle burrito? Watch this video to find out!