FAQs

It is not healthy to consume too much added sugar in foods and drinks because it can cause serious health issues, including out–of-control diabetes, tooth decay, obesity, heart disease, high triglyceride levels and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, according to the AAFP.

Lactose intolerance is a condition that occurs when the small intestine doesn’t make enough of the enzyme called lactase, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The enzyme is needed to digest lactose, which is a type of sugar found naturally in milk and other types of dairy products, according to the NIH.

Lactase is able to break down the milk sugar into two simpler kinds of sugar that can be absorbed into the bloodstream, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What are empty calories?

Empty calories are calories we get from solid fats or added sugars in food and drinks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

These fats and sugars add few or no nutrients and are only added to foods to make them more appealing.

According to the USDA, some foods and drinks that contain the most empty calories include:

• bacon
• cakes
• cheese
• cookies
• donuts
• energy drinks
• fruit drinks
• hot dogs
• ice cream
• pastries
• pizza
• ribs
• sausages
• soda
• sports drinks

While small amounts of empty calories are OK, eating too many can cause weight gain and is unhealthy, according to the USDA.