When it comes to vaping, many users focus on nicotine strength, flavors, and device performance. But lately, a surprising question has gained attention: how many calories are in a vape? If you’re wondering whether vaping affects your calorie intake or your waistline, this guide is for you. Let’s uncover the truth and debunk some myths.
The Nutrition Narc tells you the answer in the video.
Do Vapes Contain Calories?
The short answer is yes, but the story doesn’t end there. The calories in vapes primarily come from the flavoring agents used in vape juice. These agents often contain small amounts of sugar or similar compounds to create the sweet, fruity, or dessert-like flavors. However, the amount of these ingredients is minimal.
For context, a typical puff of a flavored vape might have a fraction of a calorie. This is because when the liquid is vaporized, the caloric compounds are dispersed so thinly that their caloric impact is virtually negligible.
Key takeaway: While vapes may technically have calories, they are so minuscule that they’re unlikely to affect your daily caloric intake.
How Many Calories Are in a Vape Puff?
Here’s where the specifics come into play. On average:
- A single puff from a flavored vape could contain about 0.01 to 0.2 calories.
- Nicotine vapes tend to have slightly fewer calories than non-nicotine or sweetened variants because nicotine itself does not add calories.
Even if you take 200 puffs a day (a high estimate for most users), the calorie total would be less than one calorie. Compare that to a cup of coffee with sugar or cream, which could have anywhere from 50 to 200 calories, and you’ll see why vaping’s caloric content is often considered irrelevant.
Do Flavored Vapes Have More Calories?
Flavored vapes like mango, strawberry, and dessert options generally have higher calorie counts compared to plain or tobacco flavors. This is because they include extra compounds like glycerol and sweeteners to enhance the taste.
However, don’t panic if you love sweet flavors. The caloric difference between a mango-flavored vape and a plain nicotine one is still negligible. For example:
- Mango-flavored vape: ~0.2 calories per puff.
- Plain nicotine vape: ~0.1 calories per puff.
Note: This data assumes standard e-liquid formulas and may vary based on the brand and ingredients.
Can Vaping Cause Weight Gain?
A common question is whether these minimal calories can lead to weight gain. The answer is almost always no. Here’s why:
- Insignificant Caloric Contribution: Even heavy vaping won’t add meaningful calories to your diet.
- Nicotine as an Appetite Suppressant: Nicotine, present in many vapes, is known to suppress appetite, which might even result in reduced caloric intake for some users.
That said, vaping sweet flavors could trigger sugar cravings in some individuals, potentially leading to indulgence in high-calorie snacks. So, while vaping itself won’t cause weight gain, it might indirectly contribute to overeating if you’re not careful.
Do Vapes Affect Fasting or Keto Diets?
If you’re following a strict fasting or ketogenic diet, you might worry that those fractional calories could break your fast or knock you out of ketosis. Here’s what you need to know:
- Fasting: The caloric content of a vape is so small that it’s highly unlikely to break a fast. However, the sweet taste might stimulate insulin release in some individuals, which could impact fasting benefits.
- Keto: Vaping does not contain enough carbs to disrupt ketosis. Even sweetened vape juices typically have zero net carbs.
For ultimate peace of mind, opt for unflavored or nicotine-only vape options during fasting periods.
What About Popular Brands Like Puff Bars or Lost Mary?
Not all vape brands are created equal when it comes to caloric content. Here’s a quick look at some popular options:
- Puff Bars: These disposable vapes are known for their wide range of sweet and fruity flavors. Expect around 0.2 calories per puff.
- Lost Mary Vapes: Similar to Puff Bars, they offer rich flavors with a comparable caloric impact.
- Hyde Vapes: A favorite among dessert-flavored vape fans, these may lean slightly higher on the calorie spectrum, but still negligible overall.
Ultimately, the differences between brands are marginal, and all are unlikely to have any noticeable impact on your calorie count.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that vaping has an insignificant caloric impact. While the idea of “calories in a vape” might sound concerning at first, it’s mostly a non-issue. Whether you’re puffing on a mango-flavored disposable or a plain nicotine vape, the caloric intake is too minimal to matter for your health, weight, or diet.
