Ever wondered if your vape habit is doing more than just curbing cravings? Could it be sneaking in some unexpected calories?

It’s a strange thought, right? We associate calories with food and drink, not with something we inhale. But as vaping becomes more popular, especially among those trying to lose weight or stay fit, questions like Does vaping have calories? have started popping up more often.

In this post, we’ll break down what’s inside vape juice, how your body processes it (if at all), and whether it impacts your calorie count or weight in any meaningful way.

What Is in Vape Juice?

If you’ve ever flipped over a vape juice label, you’ve likely seen these ingredients: VG (Vegetable Glycerin), PG (Propylene Glycol), nicotine, and flavoring. But what do they mean for your calorie intake?

The Basic Ingredients

• VG (Vegetable Glycerin): A sweet, thick liquid made from plant oils. Commonly used in food products.
• PG (Propylene Glycol): A thinner, less sweet carrier found in many everyday items like salad dressings and cough syrups.
• Nicotine: Optional in vape juice. Impacts appetite but not calories directly.
• Flavoring: Food-grade flavors that make vaping taste like candy, fruit, desserts, and more.

Now, do any of these contain calories?

Are Any of These Caloric?

Technically, yes. VG contains about four calories per gram, and PG is similar at 4.1 calories per gram. That’s comparable to carbs or sugars in food.

But here’s the key: you’re inhaling vape juice, not drinking it.

When you vape, aerosolized particles of VG, PG, and flavorings enter your lungs, not your digestive system. Your lungs are designed for gas exchange, not absorbing nutrients or calories. This means:

Inhaled vape ingredients are not metabolized like food, so they don’t count toward your calorie intake.

So while the ingredients in vape juice have calories on paper, your body isn’t using them.

Do You Consume Calories When You Vape?

Let’s say you’re tracking macros. Should you log your vape sessions? Probably not.

A 2017 study in the Journal of Aerosol Science confirmed that VG and PG in vapor do not deliver caloric intake via inhalation. The CDC also clarifies that inhalation does not trigger metabolic or digestive calorie absorption.

Even if one puff technically contains a fraction of a calorie, it’s more like smelling a cake than eating one.

“Does vaping have calories?” Yes, in theory. However, not in a way that affects your diet or energy intake.

Could Vaping Affect Your Weight or Appetite?

While calories aren’t the issue, vaping can influence weight and hunger in indirect ways.

The Role of Nicotine as an Appetite Suppressant

Nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine and can suppress hunger. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, nicotine increases energy expenditure and temporarily reduces appetite.

But:

• It’s not consistent.
• It’s not safe for weight management.
• The CDC warns that it’s not a sustainable or healthy solution.

Psychological Effects of Sweet Flavors

Sweet, dessert-style vapes can trigger food cravings. A 2020 study in Appetite found that sweet vapor can activate the same brain pathways as sugar, causing some users to crave authentic sweets.

“Non-caloric flavoring may still reinforce food-seeking behavior.” Appetite Journal, 2020

So while vaping may not feed your body, it can trick your brain.

Vaping vs. Other Caloric Habits

Habit	Calories per Use	Satisfies Hunger?	Craving Trigger?	Notes
Vaping (sweet flavor)	~0 (inhaled only)	❌ No	✅ Often	May lead to sugar cravings
1 Can of Soda	~140	❌ No	✅ Yes	Adds sugar & triggers hunger
Sugar-Free Gum	~5	❌ No	✅ Slightly	Common hunger control strategy
Snack (30g chips)	~150–200	✅ Briefly	✅ Yes	High in calories & salt cravings

Is “Calorie-Free Vaping” a Selling Point?

Some vape brands market this idea with slogans like:

• “Zero calories. Zero guilt.”
• “Dessert without the damage.”

It’s technically accurate but misleading. Experts warn that marketing vaping as a weight control tool is irresponsible.

“Nicotine should never be used as a weight-loss strategy.” Harvard Health Publishing, 2022

Does Vaping Break a Fast?

If you’re practicing intermittent fasting, you might wonder: Does vaping break a fast?

Dr. Jason Fung, fasting expert and author of The Obesity Code, states:

“Anything that doesn’t provoke insulin or digestion doesn’t break a fast.”

Unflavored, nicotine-only vapes likely do not break a fast. However, dessert-style flavors containing artificial sweeteners may trigger insulin responses in some individuals, as reported in Cell Metabolism (2020).

So if you’re fasting for insulin sensitivity or autophagy, stick to plain e-liquids during the fasting window.

Final Thoughts: What You Need to Know

Vaping doesn’t add measurable calories to your day, but it might influence your behavior, cravings, and appetite.

The ingredients in vape juice have calories on paper, but not in practice. To answer the original question, “Does vaping have calories?”

Yes, but not in a way that affects your weight, fasting window, or daily intake.

If you’re being mindful about health and wellness, vaping won’t wreck your macros, but being aware of your flavor choices and patterns still matters.

FAQ: Does Vaping Have Calories?

Q: How many calories are in vape juice?
A: VG and PG contain about four calories per gram, but these are not absorbed when inhaled.

Q: Does flavored vaping break a fast?
A: Possibly. Sweeteners in flavored vapes may trigger an insulin response, depending on your sensitivity.

Q: Can vaping make you gain weight?
A: Not directly. But sweet flavors can trigger food cravings, and nicotine may suppress hunger temporarily.

Q: Is vaping calorie-free?
A: Technically, yes, for inhaled use, but behaviorally, it might impact your eating patterns.