The effect of diet sodas on the body has been a hotly debated topic for years: Some studies show calorie-free drinks help aid in weight loss, while others claim they increase hunger, leading to overeating and weight gain. But this week, new research has emerged which may place further blame on artificial sweeteners. Scientists found that although synthetic sweeteners contain no calories, they still have the potential to make blood sugar levels rise – which is an issue for people with type 2 diabetes, as well as those trying to lose weight.

So should we all be tossing the diet cola in the garbage? We asked nutrition experts around the country for their take on this controversial subject – and polled them on if or when they'll still recommend diet soda to their clients.
Experts Weigh In on Diet Soda
“I haven't recommended artificially sweetened foods to consumers for quite a few years. Instead, I recommend that they learn to enjoy less-sweet foods. Over time, your taste buds adjust. One exception is for people that consume large quantities of calorically sweetened beverages – we're talking a 6-pack a day of soda. I've seen these people lose significant amounts of weight by making the switch to diet soda. The end goal, however, should be to reduce the amount of soda, regardless of the type. It’s prudent to replace artificially sweetened foods with more nutrient-rich, lower sugar foods.”
-Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Chef Consultant
“While artificially sweetened cakes and cookies filled with harmful saturated fats and white flour can cause just as much of weight gain as their sugar-laden counterparts, I don’t believe that it’s because of artificial sweeteners that people gain weight. If you have a diet soda with your meal, the soda won’t cause you to eat more and, in fact, saved you hundreds of calories if you would have otherwise chosen a regular, sugar-filled soda. My take is: I’m not a fan of soda, diet or otherwise, but there are many people, particularly the millions of those with diabetes, who might enjoy the taste of soda, in which case it is imperative that the type they choose is made without sugar.”

-Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RDN, CDN, author of Read It Before You Eat It and the writer behind the Everyday Health Column, Nutrition Intuition 

“I present it to my clients as a better/best scenario. If they really want to have soda, the worst choice would be regular soda, diet soda may be a bit better (with less calories and sugar), and then a naturally flavored seltzer is the best option. In moderation, a diet soda here and there is most likely fine. But for the person who drinks glasses and glasses per day, cutting back to avoid any potential health risk and drinking a more natural beverage is the best option.”

-Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of Belly Fat Diet For Dummies

"If someone is replacing the sugar in their daily cup of tea with an artificial sweetener to save a few calories, that's fine. But the person who foolishly thinks by drinking diet cola with their meal, they now have carte blanche to pig out on dessert? Well that's a problem. Bottom line: Artificial sweeteners should not compose a big part of your daily diet, but if a little diet soda or a small serving of artificially sweetened frozen yogurt will satiate you and prevent you from going wild at the candy store – go right ahead!"

-Franci Cohen, MA, personal trainer and certified nutritionist