empty calories

Idioms  

1. Food that has little or no nutritional value. For example, Snacking on beer and potato chips makes for a lot of empty calories. [1960s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

empty calories

Our physician father finally conceded that tonic water—thanks to drops of quinine—might not be a completely worthless mix of food coloring and empty calories.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

While they are often described as providing "empty calories," the study found they can meet micronutrient needs, largely because of vitamin fortification.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 5, 2026

By design, the single “loser” point awarded for overtime and shootout losses, which the Kraken have gorged on like empty calories, keeps NHL standings artificially close.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 31, 2024

Just don’t expect intellectual nourishment; forgive me, I’m breaking my promise, but it’s mostly empty calories you’ll find in this sweet, down-market cornucopia.

From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2023

Except for domesticated house pets, animals are sensible enough to prefer the most nutritional fare available and tend to shun empty calories unless they are starving.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Steve Solomon

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