empty calories

plural noun

: calories from food that supply energy but have little or no nutritional value

Examples of empty calories in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Margaritas, beer, soda pop and punch all contain lots of empty calories. Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Many times, loaded cereal adds empty calories through additional fat and sugar. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025 And the empty calories can increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Rachel Carlson, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025 While indulgence is a part of Christmas, some desserts pack an astonishingly unhealthy punch, with sky-high levels of sugar, fat and empty calories. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for empty calories

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empty calories was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Empty calories.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty%20calories. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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