Empty Calories Add Up to Poor Health

John Fedinetz liked his sweets.

Doughnuts were his favorite. The only thing better than one Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut was two or three of them.

"I work at McShane Welding, and suppliers would always stop by with a dozen Krispy Kremes," said Fedinetz, 50, operations manager at the Erie business. "I'd eat three. I loved them."

On June 30, Fedinetz was driving to see his family doctor when he started feeling dizzy. He headed to Saint Vincent Health Center instead, where doctors diagnosed him with five coronary artery blockages and type 2 diabetes.

Fedinetz underwent heart-bypass surgery. While recovering in the hospital, dietitians told him that he needed to make dramatic lifestyle changes.

That meant getting rid of the doughnuts and other sweets.

"They said I had to reduce intake, not to eat anything with added sugar," Fedinetz said.

People who consume lots of food and drink with added sugar -- sugars and syrups that are put into foods or beverages during processing or preparation -- increase their risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The American Heart Association recently released a statement that said most women should consume no more than 100 calories, or six teaspoons, of added sugars a day. Most men should consume no more than 150 calories, or nine teaspoons, of added sugars.

A report cited in the AHA statement said that the average American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day.

"Sugar has no nutritional value other than to provide calories," said Rachel Johnson, a registered dietitian and author of the AHA statement. "Consuming foods and beverages with excessive amounts of added sugars displaces more nutritious foods and beverages for many people."

Saint Vincent registered dietitian Marianne Schneider said that soda pop is a leading cause of high-sugar diets. A 12-ounce can of regular soda contains eight teaspoons of sugar.

That's why Schneider tells heart patients to get rid of the Pepsi or Coca-Cola.

"Whether its regular soda or any high-calorie sweetened beverage, you have to cut it out," Schneider said. "Diet pop is good from a sugar standpoint, but water is better. Some studies show that diet pop can cause cravings for sugar."