The term "empty calories" refers to foods or beverages that provide a large number of calories but have little or no nutritional value. These types of foods are often high in sugar, fat, and/or refined carbohydrates, but offer few vitamins, minerals, fiber, or other essential nutrients. Consuming too many empty calorie items can lead to weight gain and an unbalanced diet, which may contribute to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.