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

This sounds like sugar's keeping us fed, but added sugars are actually empty calories – they are bereft of any nutrients like vitamins or fibers.

From Salon ● Nov. 20, 2024

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

But when empty calories or devitalized foods or misdigestion cuts our nutrient intake we begin experiencing tooth decay, gum disease and bone loss in the jaw.

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

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