One Third of Empty Calories Come from Snacks

The ARS Food Surveys Research Group analysis looked at data on US snacking habits, taken from interviews with more than 5,000 adults 20 years or older. The latest data show that the empty calories from snacks account for about 32% of the daily calories consumed by women and about 31% by men. The average intake of empty calories for men aged 20 and older surveyed was 923 calories per day. So men, on average, are consuming two to three times their limit in the solid fats and added sugars category. For women aged 20 and older, the average intake of empty calories was 624 calories per day. So women, on average, are consuming almost two to four times their limit in that category. 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans