QUIZ: Are You Drinking Your (Empty) Calories Away?

Believe it or not, the average U.S. adult consumes about 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily. That's more than two times the recommended daily amount for men and three times the recommendation for women. Ultimately, that equates to nearly 270 calories a day from added sugar, a type of empty calorie containing little to no other nutritional value besides energy.

Mind you, that doesn't include alcohol — another empty calorie. One standard drink — beer, wine or liquor — has 14 grams of pure ethanol (alcohol), equating to roughly 100 calories per drink from just the alcohol. Anything besides straight liquor will almost always contain more calories per glass.

So how much do you really know what's in your favorite beverages?

Take this short "quiz" to learn more about common ingredients found in drinks (including diet drinks) and how they impact your health.

Reduce your empty calories and opt for nutrient-rich alternatives

Get tips from a Houston Methodist dietitian on how you can prioritize nutrient-dense ingredients in your diet while reducing your intake of empty calories like added sugars.

• Tips for Managing Your Liquid Calorie Intake