Beverages
Beverages run the full spectrum from calorie-free water, coffee, and tea to nutrient-carrying milk and 100 percent juice, and on to sodas and energy drinks that are mostly water and added sugar. Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet, and calories sipped from a glass tend to be less filling than the same calories eaten as food. Alcoholic drinks contribute calories from the alcohol itself on top of any carbohydrate.
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Nutritional highlights
- Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in US diets
- Plain water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea are close to calorie free
- Milk and fortified plant drinks contribute calcium and vitamin D
- 100 percent juice keeps the vitamins of fruit but not the fiber
How to choose well
Make water the default, use plain coffee and tea freely, and treat sugar-sweetened drinks as occasional. When you want juice, pick 100 percent juice in modest servings, and read labels on flavored waters, sports drinks, and coffee shop beverages, where added sugars pile up fast.
Storage & handling
Refrigerate juice, milk, and plant-based drinks after opening and finish them within the window stated on the label; keep shelf-stable bottles cool and out of direct sun.
Smart pairing
Tannins in coffee and tea can blunt iron absorption, so drinking them between meals instead of with iron-rich food is a useful habit when iron intake matters.
All beverages (per 100 g)
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Note. This information is provided for general reference only and is not medical advice or a diet prescription. If you have a medical condition or special dietary needs, consult a physician or a registered dietitian.