Want to know how to cut calories? It’s not as hard as you think, you can almost literally drink your way thin.

Take a closer look at your coffee cup, juice glass, and soda can. Drinks can make or break a diet.

A new study finds that beverages compose 20 percent of Americans’ daily caloric intake and 50 percent of their excess calories.

The biggest dangers come from soft drinks, fruit drinks, smoothies, and specialty coffees.

Skip the double latte and drink a big glass of water. Unsweetened tea is also fine, as is moderate consumption of plain coffee (no more than four cups a day) and if you’re into moo juice, have some nonfat or low-fat milk (a couple glasses).

The jury is still out on artificially sweetened beverages. They help with calorie cutting, but researchers are still studying their long-term health effects and the theory that diet drinks may boost sugar cravings.

Even juices aren’t all that great, the study concludes. Instead, the authors recommend you eat whole fruits and vegetables because they contain fewer calories and more fiber. And sugary drinks? Forget ‘em. Dieters just can’t afford to be sweet on those calorie hogs.

Here is a handy factoid:

• Unsweetened Iced Tea 8 oz. – 0 calories
• Water – 0 calories
• Strawberry Smoothie 16 oz. – 270 calories
• Orange Juice 12 oz. – 160 calories
• Latte 16 oz. – 260 calories [sources: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, BHG]