If you are trying to manage your weight or follow a strict diet, you might be wondering whether your vape contributes any calories. With so many sweet and dessert-inspired flavours on the market, it is a fair question. Some vapers even use flavours like strawberry ice cream, cola or lemon tart as a way to curb sugar cravings.
But do those flavours come with hidden calories? And if so, does it matter? In this article, we break it down clearly for UK vapers who want to know the facts.
Do vape liquids contain calories?
Yes, technically they do. Most vape liquids are made with a mixture of vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavourings and nicotine. Both VG and PG are low-calorie ingredients when ingested. VG contains around 4 calories per gram, while PG has slightly fewer.
However, there is a difference between eating something and inhaling it. When you vape, you are not swallowing the liquid. You are inhaling vapour, which enters your lungs rather than your digestive system. Your body does not process vapour in the same way as food, so the calorie intake from vaping is extremely low.
How many calories are in a vape?
While it depends on the exact composition of the liquid, most estimates suggest you would consume less than one calorie per millilitre of e-liquid. Even if you used a full 10ml refill bottle, the total energy absorbed would be negligible.
Devices like the Lost Mary BM6000 come with a 10ml refill bottle and a 2ml pod, giving several days of use for most people. The amount of vapour inhaled per puff is tiny, and the body does not absorb it in the same way as food or drink.
In short, even heavy vapers are unlikely to take in more than a few calories over the course of a week.
Do sweet flavours contain sugar?
No, there is no sugar in vape liquids. The sweet taste in dessert-style flavours comes from artificial or natural flavourings that are safe for inhalation under current regulations. These flavourings give the sensation of sweetness without adding sugar, carbs or actual food content.
If your vape tastes like fruit or cake, it is just a flavour. You are not consuming the ingredients used to make the real thing, and you are not adding sugar to your diet.
Can vaping affect your weight?
Vaping does not provide calories in any meaningful sense, but it can still affect your eating habits. Some people use sweet vape flavours to avoid snacking or sugary drinks. Others find that vaping certain flavours makes them crave sweets more.
It depends on the individual. If vaping helps reduce your cravings for snacks, you might find it supports your weight management. If it makes you think more about desserts or sugary drinks, it could have the opposite effect.
Being mindful of your habits and choosing flavours that do not trigger cravings is a helpful way to stay in control.
What about nicotine?
Nicotine itself does not contain calories, but it can slightly increase your metabolism and suppress appetite in some people. This is part of the reason some smokers lose weight or find it easier to avoid snacks. Vaping nicotine may have a similar effect.
However, these changes are usually small and not a reliable way to manage weight. Nicotine also has other effects on the body, such as increasing heart rate and blood pressure, so it should never be used as a diet tool.
If you are trying to lose or manage weight, focus on good nutrition, exercise and sleep. Vaping might play a small supporting role if it helps you avoid emotional eating, but it is not a solution in itself.
Do zero-nicotine vapes have fewer calories?
Not really. The calorie content in a vape comes from the VG and PG base, not the nicotine. If you are using a nicotine-free vape, the calorie difference is extremely small. That said, using a low- or no-nicotine vape may help you reduce usage over time if that is your goal.
Just like with regular liquids, the calorie amount is so low it is not considered relevant to your diet.
Want more health answers?
We have created a full health guides section to help you understand how vaping fits into your lifestyle. Whether you are curious about dry mouth, chest tightness, appetite changes or oral health, you will find easy-to-read answers for UK users.
Final thoughts
Vapes do contain trace calories, but not enough to affect your weight or daily intake. The ingredients used in e-liquid may have calories if ingested, but when inhaled, the effect is so small it is not considered nutritionally relevant.
If you are managing your weight and using vaping as a way to avoid sweets or snacks, that is fine. Just be aware of how flavours affect your cravings and keep your overall habits in check.
You can explore a wide variety of flavour options in the Lost Mary BM6000 collection if you are looking for something new to try.
For concerns about fitness and weight, take a look at does vaping make you lose weight.
You can also explore can vaping make you gain weight to see the other side of the coin.