When you’re on a weight loss journey, every calorie counts. You cut back on indulgent treats, swap your sugary snacks for healthier options, and—let’s be honest—count the minutes until you can treat yourself to that one guilty pleasure again. But there’s one item on the menu that’s been getting mixed reviews: diet soda. Whether it’s a zero-calorie soda like Diet Coke, or an artificially sweetened sparkling water, many people turn to diet sodas to curb their cravings while keeping their calorie intake low. But does it actually help with weight loss, or is it doing more harm than good?
We caught up with celebrity trainer, fitness expert, and dietician Dr. Rebecca Greenfield, who works with a variety of clients ranging from Hollywood stars to everyday individuals. “People love diet soda for its zero-calorie appeal, but there’s a bit of confusion surrounding how it impacts your weight loss goals,” she says. But what does the research say? Is drinking diet soda really that bad for weight loss?
What the Experts Say: Can Diet Soda Help or Hurt Weight Loss?
Let’s start with the basics: Is diet soda bad for weight loss? According to Dr. Greenfield, the jury’s still out. Some studies suggest that drinking diet soda may not significantly hinder weight loss, while others show it might contribute to an increase in belly fat, despite having zero calories. So, where do the problems lie?
“Here’s the thing,” Dr. Greenfield explains, “while diet sodas themselves don’t add calories, they can increase your cravings for sugar and lead to overeating. This means that even though you’re drinking something that seems to help with your weight loss, it may be tricking your body into craving more high-calorie foods.”
Let’s break it down further. A 2023 study published in Healthline found that people who drink diet soda regularly have a 70% higher chance of gaining weight in the long term compared to non-drinkers. Surprising, right? You’d think that by cutting out those sugary drinks, the weight would just fall off.
But the key lies in something we all know too well: cravings. The artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas, like aspartame and sucralose, have been linked to an increase in your craving for sweet foods. For instance, if you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a bag of chips after cracking open a can of diet soda, you’re not alone. Your body might associate the sweetness of the soda with a need for more indulgent snacks, sabotaging your efforts at weight loss.
Celebrities Who’ve Quit Diet Soda: Their Weight Loss Success
Interestingly, several celebrities have shared their experiences with quitting diet sodas and how it impacted their weight loss transformations. Take Ariana Grande, for example. After struggling with maintaining a healthy weight for years, she decided to make a lifestyle change and cut out all sodas, diet or not. Her reasoning? “I noticed I was getting cravings for things I didn’t even want, just because I had diet soda,” she confessed in a 2024 interview. “Once I stopped drinking it, my cravings were more manageable, and I lost 25 pounds in a few months.”
Or look at Kourtney Kardashian, who recently opened up about how ditching diet soda helped her shed 15 pounds and feel more energized. “I thought I could just replace my sugary drinks with diet soda and everything would be fine,” Kourtney shared. “But once I cut them out entirely, my body started responding much better. I noticed less bloating and my energy levels skyrocketed.”
These real-life stories show that even with a seemingly calorie-free beverage, the negative effects on cravings and weight loss may be real.
Is There a Way to Still Enjoy Diet Soda Without Compromising Your Goals?
So, does this mean you have to give up your beloved diet soda entirely? Not necessarily. While experts like Dr. Greenfield recommend reducing or cutting out diet sodas for optimal weight loss, others suggest moderation. “If you’re committed to losing weight, it’s best to avoid making diet sodas a regular part of your routine,” says Dr. Greenfield. “But if you must indulge occasionally, stick to one can a day and make sure your overall calorie intake is balanced.”
For those who just can’t seem to shake their diet soda habit, Dr. Greenfield suggests replacing it with flavored water, herbal teas, or sparkling water with a splash of lemon or lime. These options can give you the fizz without the side effects of artificial sweeteners.
What Does the Research Really Show About Diet Soda and Weight Loss?
Now, let’s get into the numbers. According to a 2021 study by Harvard Health, swapping regular soda for diet soda might help you cut out hundreds of calories per day. But the weight loss results are not always as dramatic as expected. On average, participants who consumed diet soda saw only a modest weight loss (around 2-3 pounds), whereas those who replaced sugary beverages with water lost closer to 5 pounds.
Additionally, some research suggests that diet sodas can be linked to an increase in belly fat, a major contributor to metabolic syndrome. A study from WebMD also showed that people who drank diet sodas daily experienced a 4-fold increase in waist circumference compared to those who avoided it.
The Bottom Line: Should You Be Drinking Diet Soda?
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to consume diet soda during your weight loss journey depends on your individual goals and body’s response. If you’re trying to lose weight or reduce belly fat, Dr. Greenfield’s advice is clear: limit or eliminate diet sodas from your daily routine.
If you’re committed to seeing results, ditching diet sodas is one change that might make a real difference. As Lana Del Rey once put it, “We’ve got to give up the things that no longer serve us.”
FAQs on Is Diet Soda Bad for Weight Loss
- Can you drink diet soda and still lose weight?
- Yes, you can technically lose weight while drinking diet soda, but it’s important to remember that it might not help the process. Some studies have found that people drinking diet soda consume more calories later in the day due to cravings.
- Why do I gain weight after drinking diet soda?
- While diet sodas are low-calorie, the artificial sweeteners can increase cravings for high-calorie foods, which could lead to overeating. Additionally, drinking diet soda regularly may lead to insulin resistance, which is linked to weight gain.
- What are the benefits of quitting diet soda?
- Cutting out diet soda can help reduce cravings, improve hydration, and decrease belly fat. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Kourtney Kardashian have shared how ditching diet soda helped them lose weight and feel better overall.
- Is it okay to drink diet soda in moderation?
- While it’s better to cut out diet sodas, moderate consumption (one can per day) may not significantly impact your weight loss efforts. However, try to balance it with healthier beverage options to optimize results.
- Does drinking diet soda make you gain belly fat?
- Some studies suggest that regular consumption of diet soda can lead to increased belly fat and higher waist circumference, especially when combined with poor dietary habits.
In the end, the best path to weight loss is not about cutting corners, but finding what works for your body—and that may very well mean kicking the diet soda habit to the curb.
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