, #
Diet Drinks - Friend or Foe?
Aug 18, 2014
Safety?
According to The Mayo Clinic, “Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals currently used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no credible evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.”
Weight Loss?
So while diet drinks may not be harmful, you might wonder: Are there any benefits of diet drinks for weight loss?
The short answer is yes, if you are drinking a diet soda instead of a regular, non-diet soda, you can save 140 calories per can. Most experts agree – it is prudent to limit the number of calories that you consume each day from beverages. Research from Purdue University shows that calories that we drink do not register as making us feel full.
That means that whether a person chooses a regular soda with 140 calories, or a diet soda with 0 calories, to go with their lunch, they will most likely eat the same amount of calories.
What's the Bottom Line?
Bottom line: Consume diet sodas and diet drinks in moderation and focus more on water, unsweetened tea or coffee and non-fat milk for beverages choices.Author: Kristen Ciuba
Kristen is a Nutritionist at Diet-to-Go, based in Lorton, VA. She tries to “practice what she preaches” by fitting in healthy foods and cooking, challenging exercise, and quality time with family and friends every day!
