Does anyone else drink Diet Coke?

rosieo52

My DH wanted me to pose this question to you all and I'm sure it could start some drama! I was a huge diet coke drinker before pregnancy. I gave it up for most of first trimester, but between headaches and exhaustion I went back to drinking one can a day. DH does not like it, it's not the caffeine, but the fact that diet soda is so bad for you. One of my best friends and SIL did they same with their kids so I try to reassure him all will be ok. Anyone else with me?

lauren889

I love a can a day myself and DH hates the fact tha there's aspartame in it.

jennjilljo

I have half a soda here and there but I'm not a huge caffeine fiend anymore. I don't drink diet soda because many of the types of artificial sweeteners that diet drinks use give me headaches.

I think it's fine in moderation. You know, the way that you're already doing it. If it's a serious concern or becomes one than it never hurts to consult the mayo clinic website or the national Institute of health.

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rosieo52

I do have a latte once and awhile when I'm really struggling. But I count that as my caffeine for the day and don't have a diet coke. I wish I liked plain black coffee but I just can't get in board! It's not about the caffeine though, it's about the aspartame like @lauren889‌ said!

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krispy83

I still have Diet Coke sometimes.  Not a can a day, but probably one every few days.  I generally eat pretty healthy so I'm not too worried.  I had Diet Coke pretty regularly (not every day, but close) when I was pregnant with DS because I had a coffee aversion and still needed a caffeine fix, and he turned out fine.  Not that that's guaranteed proof that artificial sweeteners are not an issue, but I think in moderation it's okay.

Dani_Love

I don't like the taste of diet anything but sometimes a good fountain coke was all that sounded good with my last pregnancy.  This LO doesn't like anything but water and powerade, occasionally a sip of root beer is okay.

I'm in the camp of "if it makes you feel better in moderation it's fine" 

Allie429

I used to drink diet coke ALL the time. I went down to one a day when pregnant with my DD. Sometimes I did have two if I had a headache or just couldn't stomach water. I switched to caffeine free diet coke-esp when nursing. I have one, sometimes two, a day because drinking water can aggrevate my nausea. I can go days without it as long as I have chocolate milk. My DD has been fine though.

thegoodpotato

I personally think it's a better idea to drink full-on coke. The aspartame isn't good for you. Caffeine is fine, but aspartame worries me for no real reason (maybe just the stuff that goes around the internet).

I'd rather take in the calories of a regular coke than drink a diet coke.

empiregrl5

I am addicted to diet coke....I try to keep it to a minimum....some weeks I do better than others...I know it's not the greatest (pregnant or not) but If I drink it in moderation and it keeps me sane, I'm ok with it....the only artificial sweetner I cut out was sweet n low, bc it's not recommended in pregnancy

KRMcD

One can a day is not much aspartame. I wouldn't worry.

rosieo52

@thegooodpotato DH wishes I did that. I'm just not a fan of how sweet it is because I've drank diet pop for so long. Maybe I need to start slowly switching over. I'm with you on my thoughts on aspartame. Can't decide if it's internet hype or there is some realy truth behind the dangers....I suppose a little of both!

jennjilljo

"according to the National Cancer Institute and other health agencies, there's no sound scientific evidence that any of the artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause cancer or other serious health problems. And numerous research studies confirm that artificial sweeteners are generally safe in limited quantities, even for pregnant women. As a result of the newer studies, the warning label for saccharin was dropped."

The Mayo Clinic says you're good in limited quantities so you can show YH this: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936

coloradoginger

It's summertime and I can't have beer or wine or (adult) fruity frou-frou drinks. I'm not going to beat myself up if I indulge in some diet pop every once in a while.

dees14

I've been drinking a can per day, too. My doctor told me to switch to regular coke but I don't like the taste.

firelizard83

I used to drink a can of reg. Dr pepper daily, I was pretty hooked. After I started a healthier diet plan, I decided to kick soda all together. Thanks to a bout of food poisoning, I never had to go through any withdrawal issues. I haven't drank soda for a couple years now and I feel like I have so much more energy. The few times I have decided to indulge in one, I feel like total shite afterwards. I'm all for doing what you think is good for you, but ditching sodas all together is always a good move and I try to encourage people to do so.

CogDis

I drink diet soda whenever I feel like it. Fear mongering doesn't scare me not do advertising programs designed to switch people to the next target for fear mongering.

Hilariously, I had a friend tell me "just drink the stevia sweetened diet sodas while you're pregnant, at least they're safe", while my doctor (when asked) said, "no, don't consume stevia while pregnant. If you want to drink diet pop drink plain old regular diet sodas (eg aspwrtame filled ones).

Whatever.

Paleomama

I am fine with caffeine I just personally don't like all the artificial sweeteners in the drink. So personally I do not drink it even when I am not pregnant.

t8keepr03

I drink a diet coke a day. I did all last pregnancy too. I love the taste of it. Regular soda just makes me sick. It's too sweet. I asked my doctor and he said yes 1 a day is fine 12 a day is not fine. He said pretty much what @jennwilhoite‌ said. He also added that there was no study that showed the artificial sweeteners get to the placenta. He said a can of diet coke doesn't have that much aspartame in if. Also, he said to be careful on the newer sweeteners as there hasn't been a lot of studies on those done for non pregnant people let alone pregnant people. With him saying that I have my diet coke a day.

lizjennings81

I do, a 20 oz. bottle every few days. It's the only artificial sweetener I'll have, too, so my my intake is limited. 

I also think it's fine in moderation. It'd be one thing to down a 2 liter each day. But a can? Meh.

Mommalawyer

I don't drink diet, but I drink regular. I have had really bad headaches daily for the last month, my doctor actually suggested to have caffeine......

StephanieLBerg

I have actually switched from sugar to diet since the very thought of sugar soda makes me gag. I'll drink one can of diet pepsi per day if I feel so inclined, need a pick me up, or have a small headache. For the most part though, I'll drink fat free milk, water, no sugar added juice, and no sugar added lemonade.

Biscotto

I have it if I want it but we don't keep it at home. If we're out and its rhe only choice I like then I get it. It's so rare that I don't worry about it.

slezpass

I drink a soda or a mocha frappe from McDonald's just about every day and my baby is ok...I work midnights and since I can't have energy drinks these seem to do the trick for me....pre-pregnancy I was a huge mt dew drinker so its been hard to limit myself to just one soda/frappe a day.... Orange sodas, sprite, & root beer are all caffeine free, maybe try those as well...

FlowerPower16

I can't drink regular pop because it spikes my blood sugar. I am a diet Pepsi addict. I didn't drink it 1st trimester because I couldn't stomach it, but now that I'm feeling better I have one every couple days. I think you're fine. It's not like you're drinking 5/day or anything. My SIL drank at least 1 Diet Coke per day while pregnant with her 2 girls and they are just fine.

elysek18

I still drink one can a day of diet coke as well. I agree with some PP. All about moderation

Mommalawyer

@Arduenser‌ - I'm not sure of where you live and the availability, but if you don't like the taste of regular coke, have you ever tried Mexican coke? It's SO much better tasting. In the States they use corn syrup as sweetener, in Mexico they use pure cane sugar to sweeten. It's divine. Maybe try that?

HerHighness

As a general rule pregnant or not i try to stay away from fake sugar. I will have a regular coke several times a week especially if i feel a migraine coming on. That being said I dont think an occasional diet coke will hurt baby. I wouldn't drink 5 a day but indulging occasionally is fine. Tell dh to calm him balls.

lizjennings81

Mommalawyer said:

@Arduenser‌ - I'm not sure of where you live and the availability, but if you don't like the taste of regular coke, have you ever tried Mexican coke? It's SO much better tasting. In the States they use corn syrup as sweetener, in Mexico they use pure cane sugar to sweeten. It's divine. Maybe try that?

Yep, this. There is nothing like a Mexican Coke.

I can't wait to have a rum and Mexican Coke next year.

mmariel

I only drink diet coke with rum. Other than that, I like regular coke better. In moderation I am sure the artificial sweetener is fine.

sunshine525

I have been avoiding aspartame too. I'm not much of a soda drinker, but water made me extremely nauseous in the first few weeks, so I would have a coke if we went out and I bought Mexican coke for at home. I still only drink one a day, if that, but I am staying away from aspartame.

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StephanieLBerg

Stephanie2378 said:

I'm really curious about the Mexican or Kosher colas! Where can you buy them? Anywhere in Washington that anyone knows of? I doubt I'd find it in Canada. Well maybe the kosher....maybe.

A friend of mine, who lives in Seattle and is also pregnant, says you can find Mexican cola at any specialty food store, like Trader Joes. Or at a Mexican food mart. The Mexican food mart will have better prices and fresher stock she says.

Mommalawyer

StephanieLBerg said:

Stephanie2378 said:

I'm really curious about the Mexican or Kosher colas! Where can you buy them? Anywhere in Washington that anyone knows of? I doubt I'd find it in Canada. Well maybe the kosher....maybe.

A friend of mine, who lives in Seattle and is also pregnant, says you can find Mexican cola at any specialty food store, like Trader Joes. Or at a Mexican food mart. The Mexican food mart will have better prices and fresher stock she says.

This. Or try a mom & pop authentic Mexican restaurant..... A taco cart/bus might have it too- I'm not kidding. The more authentic the place, the better chance you have. Also, might want to try Bev Mo. I learned a few months back they have an AMAZING soda selection, so they may have Mexican coke too....

SaraMGood

I was a Diet Coke addict. It's the flavor I love more than anything. I did well and didn't drink any soda until about week 9. And then I started having the occasional Diet Coke. Now I'm up to about 1 a day. Not every single day, but almost. And if I go to a restaurant and order a DC and they say they only have Pepsi products I just order water instead. I feel really guilty mostly about the aspartame too.

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tooteroid

My sister in law has 4 children and always drank soda during pregnancy, she has all healthy children. I've known other ppl to do the same. I myself am not a soda drinker, maybe three for an entire year, but now that I'm pregnant I refuse to have soda. It took me too damn long to conceive, so I don't want to take any chances! But I'm sure one a day will be just fine.

ohbotha01

I steer clear of all artificial sweeteners together for a few reasons: one being that if you drink/eat it regularly you can't go very long without more before getting a headache or withdrawl-like symptoms. And two-they've been known to cause migraines after certain periods of time. Migraines run in my family and it's absolutely awful! I wouldn't want to risk putting my child in future pain. Three-artificial sweeteners lead to sweet cravings. I crave enough already being pregnant!

gusabbey

I've been a DC addict since God was a child.  My OB had no concern about the caffeine, but more the aspartame.  I have been getting crucial headaches, however, and have cut the DC out of my diet.  I drank a can a day with both of my older boys.  DH was convinced theyd have 3 heads, but they are quite healthy

JenniferHedrick

My doctor said the aspirtaine is dangerous due to it breaking down to formaldehyde