Counting calories is important for losing weight or maintaining your current weight, but you also need to understand how calories work. Calories are not the same thing as empty calories, and these informative facts from the USDA will show you why.

What are empty calories?
Empty calories are calories that come from solid fats and added sugars. These calories add virtually no nutrients to your food, making them unnecessary and harmful if they're consumed in excess.

What are some foods that contain empty calories?
Foods with empty calories include desserts like cake, cookies, pastries, and donuts, sugary beverages like sodas or fruit drinks, many types of cheeses, and meats like sausage, hot dogs, bacon and ribs. Today, there are healthier versions of many of these foods that contain fewer or no empty calories.

How many empty calories can I have?
The number varies from person to person, and it depends on things like gender, age, weight and level of physical activity. As a general rule, adult women can have anywhere from 120 to 260 empty calories per day, while adult men can have 260 to 330 per day. That number is lower for small children.

For more information about empty calories and how to enjoy them in moderation, visit the USDA website.

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Homemade frozen goodness is right around the corner, at Ice Cream Charlie’s. Located on Park Avenue just down the street from Lincoln Park, Ice Cream Charlie’s is the place to go to get the freshest and most flavorful ice cream, frozen yogurts and Italian ices. This is where you get the good stuff! The lines can get long but don’t worry because the friendly staff keeps everything moving briskly. The store will remind you of that old fashioned ice cream parlor of your dreams. There’s always a good selection of ice cream flavors, so you might just have a hard time choosing! Luckily, you can get a cone or cup to suit your appetite, be it a child’s size or a three-scoop large. Having a special occasion? Get a great ice cream cake!

Ice Cream Charlie’s
200 Park Ave
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 939-8133
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ice-cream-charlies-rutherford-2

Like the name says, Regina's Steakhouse and Grill specializes in steaks and burgers grilled to perfection and paired with the freshest toppings. Offering a more sophisticated interior than your typical steak house, Regina’s offers diners a cozy environment perfect for business dinner, family get-togethers, or date nights. The menu is sure to impress all who enter Regina’s. Think your classic steakhouse fare with an upscale twist. The prix fixe menu offers a sampler of sorts to be shared for just $53. This is probably the best way to sample most of Regina’s great Hors d’oeuvres. They include tuna tartare, mini crab cakes, and oysters Rockefeller. Main courses include prime cut steaks, whole fish as well as filets, along Regina’s specialties. These include sesame ahi tuna, slow roasted duck, and blackened swordfish with two-potato hash. For dessert Regina’s evens offers party and catering menus. Wow your friends and loved ones with gourmet Hors d’oeuvres as well a nicely stocked buffet of delicious items.

Regina's Steakhouse and Grill
827 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 862-1996
http://www.yelp.com/biz/reginas-steak-house-and-grill-teaneck