Does drinking diet soda cause weight gain? No.

It is important to remember that when it comes to obesity, all calories count, regardless of their source.  In fact, science has shown that the key to maintaining a healthy weight is energy balance: balancing calories consumed from foods and beverages with calories burned through physical activity.

Our industry is offering consumers a variety of choices to help them choose the beverage that is right for them, including those trying to lose weight.  Some consumers switch to diet beverages that contain low-calorie sweeteners as a way to reduce their caloric intake, which is a strategy supported by some of the most knowledgeable minds on these issues in the world.  According to the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, low-calorie sweeteners can help reduce calories and sugar intake and aid in maintaining a healthy weight.

When it comes to weight loss and weight maintenance, people today have enough worries.  Rest assured that reaching for a low-calorie beverage does not need to be one of them.