Diet Soda as Health Food?

So now we have diet sodas as a healthful part of a diet? I have always been an advocate of low-calorie sodas and other low-calorie drinks to help people reduce liquid calories.

While water is a gold-standard, many people get bored, don't drink it, or substitute high-calorie "clear" liquids. For diabetics, diet sodas have been a huge help to compliance, providing a sweet taste, without sugar that the body cannot metabolize.

While there is abundant debate about the low-calorie sweeteners and their use in all kinds of products, diet soda is here to stay, which can be a good thing for many people. But what role does it play in a healthy daily intake?

Here's where I am concerned:

Soda manufacturers are now going the "good for you" route. Products like Diet Coke Plus or PepsiCo's Tava, containing vitamins and minerals, send a mixed message to me. The last place to look for nutrients is in a soda. Now, I understand the argument that if people are going to drink diet soda, why not provide some "value added?" I counter that with the idea that we need to work on getting nutrients from foods that contain them naturally, and not distract ourselves from seeking yet one more source of non-food nutrition.

I think we are heading down the wrong path when these "worlds collide." Diet soda is not healthy nutrition. It saves calories, which is always a good thing. Trying to attract consumers by adding isolated nutrients to diet soda, and suggest it as a healthy option, does not ring quite true with me.

What do you think about this new trend? I would love to hear your views.
Hey, you non-soda drinkers! Will these new products drive you to start drinking diet soda? What about the diet-soda devotees? Will you drink more?

Comments

I, for one, am not a fan of sodas, diet or not, so a diet soda with "added nutrients" wouldn't appeal to me. Isn't the sodium content also an issue with diet sodas? What I do enjoy at times, though, is the carbonation, so I mix seltzer water with a bit of fruit juice. Isn't that the better way to go?

My husband and sons came home with fortified soft drinks over the weekend -- all in the hope that "food-police Mom" (that's me)would pack them in lunches and serve them instead of milk and OJ. Mixed message, indeed!

I think people should get their nutrients where ever they can. If they are going to drink diet soda why not make it a healthier drink? I don't drink carbonated beverages. I drink crystal light. But my mother drinks diet coke and she refuses to take vitamins. So I think it would be a good idea for her to drink the new diet coke with added vitamins and minerals.

I think that it is rediculous, it will however cause some people to buy more. I get my soda fix from flavored seltzer water (natural) without sugar, sodium, sugar substitute. My grandchildren call it spicy water, they love it. Thanks for all your help Dr. Fernstrom!

If the nutrient added/no cal soda entices people away from regular soda then it has to be a win. I would guess that many people who drink diet soda, do it for health reasons (to reduce calorie intake) and would continue to make the best (most healthy) choice based on the available info.

If the new diet Coke tastes as grand as the traditional diet Coke then great, if so - all the better to consume nutrients and vits. when is it going to be available?

Won't all the other 'stuff' in pop cancel out the added vitamins. Like calicum in pop. Pop decreases the calicum in your body so how does adding it to the pop help? It makes as much sense as adding teeth whitners to coffee or tea! It is scary that some of the pubic beleive the ads.

I am not so sure that "diet-sodas" are all that good for you. The way I understand it, the sugar substitutes are chemicles, and who knows what years of absorbing this stuff will do to the human body.

I can drink up to a six pack of soda a day. I really want to cut soda out of my diet but I am very addicted to caffeine. Is coffee a healthier alternative to soda?

I can drink up to a six pack of soda a day. I really want to cut soda out of my diet but I am very addicted to caffeine. Is coffee a healthier alternative to soda?

Soda is going to be bad for you whether or not it's calorie-free or it has a few added nutrients. It has chemicals which harm the teeth over time.

I am a Diet Coke Addict (6 pack a day.) Will I stop, No. Everytime we turn around we are being told something is bad for us. So I think enjoy life and if you can everything in moderation.And the new diet coke with Vitamins(YUCK)tried it, stick to good old Diet Coke!

DRINKING ANY SODA OR SODA DIET DRINKS THEY ALL MAKE YOU SICK OR FAT. WITH THE STUFF THEY HAVE IN THE SODA AND IN OUR FOOD WE EAT ITS ANY WONDER WE ARE NOT DEAD YET.PEOPLE WAKE UP,PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM ALL THE INGRENTS IN OUR FOODS THAT WE EAT,AND THE SOME CALL BIG-SHOTS OF OUR FOOD COMPANIES LIES THEY TELL US DAILY ,HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH HURTING US ,OUR LIVES ARE IN DANGER,ARE YOU NEXT?

I have to have some diet coke or pepsi every day. I usually have it in the morning because I don't drink coffee. I don't think there is anything bad about consuming it as long as it is consumed in moderation just like other foods.

I am sitting here chuckling over the comments that have been posted. I have been on both sides of this argument but after much research and discovery, I am not sorry to say this is big bold letters: SODA IS THAT SODA!! You can add all the nutrients that you want but it isnt going to change the fact that it is packed with additives and preservatives. I am true believer in drinking water or natural fruit juices. There are so many other alternatives out there to soda. I have found many and have totally taken soda out of my home and my families way of living. We have lost weight and are healthier because of giving up this unhealthy product. So sorry to all the soda drinkers out there it isnt any better with nutrients in it. Do some research on what soda does to you and you may give it up too!!!

This is for Cheryl.. Where do you get flavored Seltzer Water, this sounds like something I would like to try. I dont care for diet drinks but want the fizz that soda offers.

Calorie counting is hard enough for me. Don't want to be concerned with which product contains which nutrients. Overload on anything is a bad for the body including vitamins and minerals.

The Diet-Coke-or carbonated drinks in general starts from early childhood.If we teach our children to drink such beverages when they are young they may continue. I never gave my children this kind of drinks and now in their 30's and 40 they still don't overly indulge in these .No wonder we have such overweight in our nation and poor health in our children and also grown ups.Drink water ,tea, and good juices

I drink Diet Soda, not because I think it is that much healthier for me but because I like the taste better. If I am going to drink soda, and I know I am, is it a better choice to drink diet soda instead of regular?

I know that soda, even diet, is bad for me because it can mess with the Ph in my body, but I have been drinking it for a long time and can't seem to stop. I do however try to balance that out with things that are good for me. For example, I love drinking wheat grass. It gives me energy, makes me feel healthier, and balances the Ph in my body. I would recommend it to anyone who is worried about health, or their Ph level.

The primary food shopper in the household has the opportunity to select and supply your family with nutrients that will keep them healthy. Whatever comes home from the store and is in the frig when they open the door is what they will put in their bodies. We could actually be helping them be more resistant to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease later on in life. We teach them to look both ways before crossing the street, right, so why not take these simple steps also which will keep them alive!

I am a devoted Diet Coke drinker, simply because I love the taste. I tried the new Diet Coke with vits and mins and didn't finish it because it tasted weird. I felt that if I was going to drink the soda anyway why not get a little something extra? I did not rely on the amped up soda as a way to obtain the vits and mins I need, I still rely on healthy eating habits and good food choices. An afternoon Diet Coke is my treat for a hard day's work, not a substantial substitute for a well rounded meal.

I am a devoted Diet Coke drinker, simply because I love the taste. I tried the new Diet Coke with vits and mins and didn't finish it because it tasted weird. I felt that if I was going to drink the soda anyway why not get a little something extra? I did not rely on the amped up soda as a way to obtain the vits and mins I need, I still rely on healthy eating habits and good food choices. An afternoon Diet Coke is my treat for a hard day's work, not a substantial substitute for a well rounded meal.

Because we didn't have money for soda when I was growing up, I never developed much of a taste for it. For health reasons, we didn't introduce soda to our son's diet til he ran into it at friends homes. It was never a big taboo, and he naturally developed a preference for what is good for him: water, milk, apple juice. He gets funny looks from wait staff at restaurants when he declines their soda suggestions.
Soda has destructive chemicals; vitamins won't override that. Choose something else!

I have a friend addicted to Diet Coke. It is ravaging her body. She recently had a heart monitor put in, and her breathing is so shallow....all because of the massive doses of Caffeine she drinks in Diet Coke daily...at least 12 to 16 cans daily. I really hate to see Diet Coke trying to get more people hooked on it with this Nutrition bait!!!

while our health guru's are making their predictions about what we should eat or drink, do they ever think of the people that make a living thru the production of these products? the production of food and drink are the few items still made in america, get on that band wagon for a change. linda in kentucky

I don't feel that our general population needs diet anything 'cause the Aspartamine is NOT a diet food as it turns to formaldahyd at 86 degrees and it causes several surprising side effects that can be VERY dangerous to our health.

I don't feel that our general population needs diet anything 'cause the Aspartamine is NOT a diet food as it turns to formaldahyd at 86 degrees and it causes several surprising side effects that can be VERY dangerous to our health.

I'm sorry to threadjack, but did anyone else find themselves laughing uncontrollably at MARY's comment? I mean, not only does she capitalize the entire thing, but she's got to put her name in all caps too?

I know that diet soda is bad for my health but can't stop drinking it. I do only drink about 2 cans a day and for the rest of the day I drink cranberry and seltzer.I know people that can drink 24 cans a day!

I haven't seen them advertising this as a substitute for healthier things, but as a way to get some of the vitamins you need from what you are already drinking. I think we are putting words in their mouth when we assume they are planning on us drinking these as a "health drink". For those who are already drinking a lot of diet coke or something though, this is a nice way to get some additional vitamins in your diet!

I was a Diet Coke junkie for nearly 20 years. After tracking my consumption of soda over a month, I figured I was drinking approx. 4 gallons of the stuff a week!! I went cold turkey in August 2007 and went almost 6 weeks without a soda of any kind. I have had maybe 5-6 cans of sodas since, but I have largely replaced soda in my diet with water and green tea and I feel great. My blood pressure is down (probably from the huge reduction in caffiene intake) and the swollen ankles I used to suffer with after a long day on my feet is nearly gone. Strangely enough (although I can't prove that my reduced soda intake has anything to do with it) my hair seems to be growing much faster too.

I no longer drink soda, but one of my new kicks is a drink called IZZE. It is basically fruit juice and sparkling water, and one bottle is the same as one serving of fruit. They come in awesome flavors - blackberry, clemintine, pear, and grapefruit for example, and taste delicious! check it out www.izze.com

Soda is just that... soda. While diet soda does have less calories, it's still soda. it messes with your digestive system, it can cause teeth decay (even diet) and is not healthy. Granted, it's a better choice than regular soda as far as empty calories are concerned, but it's still soda. Drink some water... or drink some fruit juice. Personally, I think adding vitamins to diet soda is as hypocritical as frying a twinkie is.

I used to go through a 24 pack of Diet Coke by myself in less than a week. It would be the first thing i cracked open in the morning. when I realized how extremely unhealthy and potentially dangerous ingredients of diet sodas can be, i stopped cold turkey. diet coke doesn't even taste good any more. although, i have transfered my beverage addiction to vitamin water.

I totally agree with this article. I drink diet coke a lot - usually as a change from water and tea. There is no way I'm trying the one with vitamins - it makes no sense to me. Vitamins need certain minerals (some need fat) in order to be used by our bodies. Foods that contains vitamins naturally also contain the necessary complements so we can fully utilize the vitamins. Fortifying drinks (or anything else), while it sounds good, just doesn't cut it.

To me it definitely sends a mixed message. I am not a big soda drinker, so when I saw the Diet Coke Plus in the store, all I could think was, "there's an oxymoron if I ever heard one".

I am definitely a fan. I'm a diet coke drinker already, and would continue to drink diet coke indefinitely. The product should not be meant to take the place of other vitamin rich healthy foods, but rather to give people who already drink diet coke a healthier option. As for other oxymorons, its always bothered me how people criticize someone they see eating a cheeseburger and drinking a diet coke, saying if you're eating a cheeseburger whats the point of drinking a diet soda. the point is that i'm going to eat and drink the things that i want to eat and drink. i want to eat cheeseburgers so i'm going to eat cheeseburgers. i want to drink sodas so i'm going to drink sodas. if i can eliminate 300 calories per day by drinking diet sodas instead of regular sodas and still get what i want, i'm going to do it. if there was a cheeseburger with 150 fewer calories, i would eat that also.

and when i lose 15 lbs a year(300 calories per day - think about it) by drinking diet soda instead of regular soda, i'll be laughing all the way to the store where I see everyone else eating weight watchers and lean cuisine meals full of sodium and sugars and more calories than they realize. and all the while maintaining their weight or gaining more because their "diet" meals leave them so unsatisfied that they turn to eating more or snacking on the side.

Aspertame is a deadly substance ,and it is in most diet products as the sweetner , the pharmaciticals and chemical companies laugh all the way to the bank as they fill their pockets.
there is a possibility it will be replaced with splenda soon ,but it is not good either . the only safe sweetner is "stevia" and fda does not allow it to be called a sweetner . ,but a food supliment , but then some say the fdaa is nothing but an enforcment arm for the pharmaciticals and chemical cos. do some research, go to google look up aspertame ,read the pro and con and then decide.dont forget there are govt and pharmacitical shills there too.
another good source for research is Dr. Betty Martini,,head of mission possible in Georgia,,look up her posts on google ,you'll be amazed,if are an asperame user in your diet drinks.

I used to drink diet sodas quite often. It should be pointed out that many diet sodas have a sweetner that causes deterioration of neuron membranes.

To Dr. Fernstrom, I would ask you to contact Betty Martini at Mission Possible Intl. 9270 River Club Pkwy.
Duluth,Ga.30097 ph.770-242-2599
e mail: bettym19@mindspring.com
or website, www.dorway.com/bmartini.html
regarding aspertame ,artificial sweetner used in most diet drinks. the results will shock you. also other folks reading this post, please do so, also, (for your own health benifit).the amount of research and results will amaze you, as it did me .

I am a MS science teacher. A recent review of the research regarding diet soft drinks failed to show any neurological risks from drinking aspartame. Diet colas are mostly water. What other chemical additives are in there are very slight, unless you drink one that is high in caffeine. There is very little if any risk involved in low level consumption of caffeine.

Diet drinks are fine. The real threats to your health are excess calories, insufficient exercise, and poor genetics. You can't do anything about the last. The other two you have total control of.

And as for weight, recent research strongly suggests that being overweight (but not obese) does not increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Everyone is either looking for a golden health bullet or trying to dodge some killer bullet with his name on it.

Eat right, exercise, and avoid stress is all the magic you need.

to marco angelina,, well sir ,with all respect,you sound like a govt. or pharmacitical shill. you evidently have not looked into Betty Martini's research,,and her's consists of many noted univerities and hospitals ,plus labratories. i'd suggest you contact her ,,she'll send you a huge packet of documents for the postage cost or less ,,she is not out to make money,just wants to spread the word and save lives. but Marco your other advice is good! but get off the diet drinks,sugar won't hurt you near as much as aspertame.

I love Diet Coke. I used to drink diet Vanilla Coke. Please bring back the diet Vanilla Coke!!! I drink diet Coke because I am a diabetic. I usally drink about two diet sodas a day. I believe that is enough for any one to consume on a daily basis. I'm still looking for the diet Vanilla Coke, please bring it back.

Some people are always going to drink soda. I'm not one of those people though. I usually just drink water, milk, or REAL fruit juice, but mostly just water. I don't see anything wrong with addind some vitamins to any soda, be it diet or regular. I DO see a problem though, when they make the soda taste like you are chewing on a rock, which is exactly what the diet coke plus tastes like. I know they just made the product to boost sales, but I still think it's a good idea for the soda drinkers out there. Just make it taste like something other than a dirty rock, please!

Michael J Fox suffers from Parkison Disease. He started drinking "TAB", Diet Coke, diet anything at a very young age. He once said in the 80's almost every beverage he consumed had the label diet on it. Look at this poor man today. If you dont believe that asparteme is a slow killer. You are in some serious denial.

Ice water is delicious and after a few weeks of just drinking that, leaving the soda alone is easy! Soda, whether diet or regular is BAD for you in all ways! Ice water has NO calories. Try it, you'll like it and you will lose weight and wonder where it went!

I never drink diet anything, tastes offensive.

All my liquid calories are consumed in liquor thanks. How many of you soda drinkers have your daily 6 diet colas and then a six pack of beer ontop of it?

Hell "diet" is a joke when it comes to soft drinks, but if your going to sell them anyways by providing a fortified drink it really cannot do any harm. Probably gonna cost coca cola a little when they take it off the shelves though.

You all need to get a life. Life is short do what ever you can to enjoy it. If drinking soda is what you want then let them. Every day there is something new that is bad for you and then it is not. Life your own life do not worry about everyone else.

I drink Diet lipton green tea 16.9 oz bottle with citrus and lost 30 lbs. only thing sodium is 60mg but zero in every thing else.

soda is great htey should have the wanted nutrients in them if they going to make them people are going to keep drink soda so why not make it healthy

Also i agree you need a life

ps get one

i have been driking diet soda for many years and i have found that whenever i do break down and drink a regular soda i find that it is too sweet.i dont use alot of sugar in my foods. when i was using alot of sugar i found that i needed more and more to get my sweet factor satisfied. when i cut it out, i couldnt believe how much i was using. it only took about a week of not using sugar to realize how strong my sweet tooth was. best thing to do is cut back and you will realize how much you dont need it. when i did my tour of duty in iraq i carried those single serving flavored tea packets. they are small easy to mix, and perfect for a water bottle. they fit in my combat packs, and mixed well. and they are cheap.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found a correlation between drinking diet soda and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, too much blood sugar, and abdominal obesity. That collection of risk factors make up metabolic syndrome.

BBC News is reporting that researchers from the University of Purdue are baffled by the results of a study that found that rats fed on artificial sweetener still put on weight. The scientists have surmised that a sweet taste followed by no calories causes a craving for more food. The BBC report says “Their research, published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, found that rats fed sugar subsequently had lower appetites.”

If the researchers are correct, it seems skipping the diet soda and having a glass of water instead can help you feel better, look better and live longer.

When I was much younger,I drank tons of soda & never gave it a thought. Now that I have type 2 diabetes, I drink,unsweeten lemon aide, ice tea, & water. Water is the best thing for you. Soda companies like food manufactures only have one thing on their mind. "The taste". They don't care if it is good or not for you but only the $$ they can make! We would all be healthier & wealthier if they never drank this junk.
Nothing like a cool glass of water. All artificial sweetners are as bad for you like sugar. Look up any kind of sweetner & see what it is made with. I quit using them a long time ago. Soda co. wont get rich off from me. I hope this helps.

I have lots of concerns about the ingredents in sodas. I have become addicted to diet coke and find it hard to cut back as I don't drink coffee or teas. I truly feel there is a lot of truth in the articles I read about the dangers of the ingredents in the make up of diet sodas. Don't know who to believe, guess we should just trust our gut instints.