Quick Answer
A 24oz can of regular Dr Pepper contains 290 calories.
Calorie Count for Different Sizes of Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is a popular carbonated soft drink that contains high fructose corn syrup as its main sweetener. Here is the calorie count for different sizes of regular Dr Pepper:
| Size | Calories |
| 12 oz can | 150 |
| 20 oz bottle | 240 |
| 24 oz can | 290 |
| 2 liter bottle | 910 |
As you can see, the calorie count increases with the size of the Dr Pepper serving. A 24oz can contains 290 calories, which is a significant amount of calories from just one beverage.
Nutrition Facts for 24oz Dr Pepper
Here are the complete nutrition facts for a 24oz can of regular Dr Pepper:
| Serving Size | 24 oz |
| Servings Per Container | 1 |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| Calories | 290 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 105 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 77 g |
| Total Sugars | 75 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a 24oz Dr Pepper contains 290 calories, 77g of carbohydrates, and 75g of sugar. It does not provide any protein or fat. The high amount of sugar is responsible for the high calorie count.
Daily Calorie Needs
To understand how 290 calories fits into your daily calorie needs, let’s take a look at the recommended daily calorie intake based on age, gender, and activity level according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
| Gender | Age | Sedentary | Moderately Active | Active |
| Male | 19-30 | 2400-2600 | 2600-2800 | 2800-3000 |
| Male | 31-50 | 2200-2400 | 2400-2600 | 2600-2800 |
| Female | 19-30 | 2000-2200 | 2000-2200 | 2400 |
| Female | 31-50 | 1800-2000 | 2000-2200 | 2200-2400 |
As you can see, daily calorie needs range from 1800-3000 calories per day for adults depending on age, gender, and activity level. A 290 calorie Dr Pepper would provide about 10-16% of your daily calorie needs.
For example, for a moderately active 30 year old male with a calorie need of 2600 calories, the 290 calories from a 24oz Dr Pepper would account for about 11% of their daily calorie intake.
For a sedentary 35 year old female with a calorie need of 1900 calories, the 290 calories from the Dr Pepper would provide about 15% of their daily calories.
Daily Recommended Sugar Intake
The 24oz Dr Pepper contains 75g of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than:
– Men: 150 calories or 9 tsp per day
– Women: 100 calories or 6 tsp per day
Since there are 4 grams of sugar per teaspoon, this equals:
– Men: 36 grams added sugar per day
– Women: 24 grams added sugar per day
The 75 grams of sugar in the 24oz Dr Pepper well exceeds these daily recommended limits. It provides more than twice the recommended daily added sugar intake for women and over double the limit for men.
Consuming this much sugar from a single beverage is concerning, as it can increase risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease and tooth decay. It’s best to moderate intake of sugary drinks like regular Dr Pepper and opt for lower calorie, lower sugar alternatives when possible.
Tips for Reducing Dr Pepper Calories
Here are some tips for reducing the calories when enjoying Dr Pepper:
– Choose smaller serving sizes – the 12oz can has 150 calories compared to 290 calories in the 24oz can.
– Switch to the zero sugar version – Dr Pepper Zero Sugar has 0 calories.
– Dilute with seltzer or sparkling water to cut the sweetness and reduce calories.
– Add ice to your glass to make a smaller portion.
– Drink slowly and mindfully to savor – you may be satisfied with less.
– Substitute with lower calorie beverages like water, unsweetened tea, or black coffee.
Making small shifts like choosing smaller portions, diluting, and alternating with lower calorie options can help reduce the calories from sugary drinks. But keeping intake occasional and moderate is key.
The Bottom Line
A 24oz can of regular Dr Pepper contains 290 calories and a very high 75 grams of added sugar. This single serving provides over 10% of most adults’ daily calorie needs and more than 2-3 times the recommended daily limits for added sugar intake.
While an occasional Dr Pepper won’t harm your health, regular consumption of large servings can impact weight, blood sugar levels, dental health and overall nutrition due to excess calorie and sugar intake. Enjoying Dr Pepper in moderation along with other low calorie, nutrient-dense beverages is the healthiest approach. Choose smaller sizes, dilute with seltzer or sparkling water, or switch to the zero sugar version to reduce the calories and added sugars.
