Sugar-sweetened beverages, like soda, are culprits of empty calories and sugar. Read the nutrition label on all beverages to identify how many calories, how much sugar, and what nutrients you are consuming.
Carbonation, or the bubbles in a drink, are formed by dissolving carbon dioxide in a liquid. This changes the physical properties of the liquid, but doesn't add calories. However, carbonated drinks are often flavored and sweetened, so making them at home with carbonated water can greatly reduce the amount of calories and sugar in the beverage.