Final answer:
Empty calories refer to food and drink that provide calories but little to no nutritional value. They often contain high amounts of added sugars and fats, and include items like sauces, sodas, sugar, and candy. Consuming more nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits and vegetables, is gravely preferable.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the nutritional world, empty calories actually refer to foods or drinks that provide mainly calories and very little or no nutritional value. This means that they contribute to your total calorie intake, but do not provide the nutrients that your body needs to function properly.
This includes items like sauces, salad dressings, sugar, syrup, butter, alcohol, candy, dessert, and soda. These items are often high in added sugars and fats. For instance, one can of soda could contain up to 10 teaspoons of added sugar. Similarly, sauces and dressings could contain high amounts of fats and sugars.
Instead of consuming empty calories, it is healthier to choose foods that give you the most nutrients for the least amount of calories. For example, fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals while also being low in calories.
Learn more about empty calories