The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise us to limit our consumption of added sugars. After all, almost half of all the added sugars in the average American’s diet come from soda and other sugary drinks. (JADA, 2000). Here are 5 ways to lower your beverage calories:1. Make better coffee choices.Some beverages pack as many calories as a meal! Watch out for options that are high in fat and sugar2. Choose whole fruit instead of smoothies or juice.While most blended drinks do contain fruit, they also often include frozen yogurt, sherbet, cream, and/or added sugar, all of which add calories. 3. Limit sodas or choose diet soda.Super-sized or extra-large beverages may be a bargain per ounce, but they are a disaster for your waistline. Did you know that a ‘child-sized’ soda in a fast food restaurant contains the same amount of liquid as a 12-ounce can?4. Drink skim milk instead of whole milk.An eight-ounce serving of whole milk contains 160 calories. The same-size serving of skim milk contains just half as many calories! 5. Make the best choices every day.Stock the fridge with grab-and-go bottles of water and low-calorie beverages. Having the right foods and beverages on hand is key to controlling your calories. This helps keep you from making a bad ‘on the run’ choice when away from home.