is diet coke bad?

sugarrush · October 2013

I had a half a diet coke (bottle) with my lunch today. Two of my pregnant co-workers came by and both made a comment to me about why in the hell am I drinking caffeine and pop/soda is SO bad for you. They kinda made me feel like an asshole, is diet coke or pop/soda that bad for you? I thought you could have a cup or so of caffeine a day and be fine? Please tell me im not mutating my baby and giving birth to a gremlin now!

Emily041285 · October 2013

The info packet my OB gave me says that while there is no conclusive research to prove either is bad you should limit your in take. I still drink 75 mg of caffeine a day.

Personal opinion though? Diet Coke tastes nasty and you should totally go regular.

steph1977 · October 2013

Yup, as pp stated, I'd stay away from artificial sweeteners. Diet pops are loaded with them.

Bluebird2318 · October 2013

You're fine. They're being ridiculous. You can have ~200 mg of caffeine per day. Half a bottle of Coke is nowhere near that. I mean, yeah, soda/diet soda isn't good for you, but it's not going to harm or mutate your baby.

KendraL86 · October 2013

I still drink an occasional diet coke (in the can, about once per week). I don't feel like anything is truly good or bad, but rather view everything in moderation.

mtaylor404 · October 2013

I avoid diet sodas due to the artificial sugars. I do have a sip of my DH's every once in a while. Shame on your co-workers for shaming you though. I am no doctor, but I will go ahead and say your baby will not be a gremlin if you drink diet coke.

ohbaby4 · October 2013

I drink regular Coke every day. I stay away from diet only because of the artificial sweeteners. Your coworkers sound like they need to mind their own business though.

TallaB · October 2013

I have no clue!

But having a gizmo gremlin would be adorable!!!

Twirple · October 2013

I don't think soda is horrible as a rule. Though my Mom's doctor told her she was better off drinking the real thing rather than drinking diet. I hate diet soda though. Right now I'm drinking a regular Cherry coke. It is yummy.

Gremlins are cute, though not being able to feed them after midnight would make the 2:00 a.m. feedings very difficult.

sugarrush · October 2013

very interesting about the consensus on artificial sweeteners! My doc told me to use artificial sweeteners! Now im somewhat questioning that recommendation by her! Thanks ladies, I knew I could count on you

*sparky* · October 2013

I agree w/the other posters that the artificial sweeteners are probably worse than the caffeine, but that being said I have enjoyed the occasional Diet Coke with both of my pregnancies. I also have a cup of coffee every morning.

Your c/w's are judgmental jerks and need to mind their own business. I hate that people feel like they can openly judge pregnant women for anything and everything.

KatieKim0815 · October 2013

Caffeine wise? Not a concern. At all.

I have huge issues with artificial sweeteners. Pregnant or not. I would opt for a regular coke over diet any day. Baby or not.

nikki912 · October 2013

KatieKim0815 said:
Caffeine wise? Not a concern. At all.

I have huge issues with artificial sweeteners. Pregnant or not. I would opt for a regular coke over diet any day. Baby or not.

This exactly.

luvU2theMoon · October 2013

Diet soda is actually really bad for you in general. it has so many artificial chemicals in it...not that regular soda is not filled with sugars and what not but diet is worse... BUT i dont think those ladies had any business making you feel bad about yourself! they are not your doctor and My gosh deos it piss me off when people throw their non helpful comments are pregnant people. I drink coke if i get a migraine because my doctor told me it will help and it does. but other than that i choose to refrain. you are not going to mutate your baby but i would go regular vs diet.

RocksInTheWater · October 2013

Sugar Rush said:

very interesting about the consensus on artificial sweeteners! My doc told me to use artificial sweeteners! Now im somewhat questioning that recommendation by her! Thanks ladies, I knew I could count on you

What reasoning did your doctor tell you for using artificial sweeteners? I've never heard of them being recommended. As other posters said, the minimal caffeine in that diet coke is totally within the recommended caffeine limit per day and your co-workers need to mind their own beeswax. I, too, try to stay away from artificial sweeteners just as a general rule of thumb.

RILEYJM12 · October 2013

Everything I have read said artificial sweeteners will not harm the baby but it's best to drink something with more nutrients!:)

spano41 · October 2013

I can not drink regular soda because of the sugar so I have a diet soda occasionally. During my first trimester it was ALL I wanted and craved it every day but I tried hard to limit my self. Now I have a couple a week. I am concerned about the artificialy sweeteners but most of them are approved by the FDA for consumption in pregnant women so I think in moderation they should be fine. Anecdotally, my mom said she had diet coke and sweet 'n low (which DOES cross the placenta) almost every day of her pregnancy with me and I have all my fingers and toes so I'm not super worried. I absolutely would not be worried about having half a diet coke one day!!!

maelic · October 2013

My OB (jokingly) said that she'd rather I drink vodka than artificial sweeteners. Easy enough for me, I don't drink soda/eat junk food. If I were you I'd switch to regular soda, the caffeine is really not an issue unless you're chugging a gallon a day.

FTMapr2014 · October 2013

I gave up caffiene this year and was only drinking it in emergencies (driving while exhausted or staying up for a 24 hr period) so when I got pregnant I decided to go without for the entire pregnancy. I don't judge other pregnant women for drinking it though.
The main concern with diet soda is the aspartame. According to americanpregnancy.org, it's safe during pregnancy in moderation. I think this is a personal preference and if you aren't worried about it, that's all that matters.

sugarrush · October 2013

LoriMc12 said:

What reasoning did your doctor tell you for using artificial sweeteners? I've never heard of them being recommended. As other posters said, the minimal caffeine in that diet coke is totally within the recommended caffeine limit per day and your co-workers need to mind their own beeswax. I, too, try to stay away from artificial sweeteners just as a general rule of thumb.

No reason given, this was during my first appointment of do's and dont's. She may have said it due to my risk of gestational diabetes (runs in my family and im a little bit heavier than I should be). But that's just me guessing.

sugarrush · October 2013

spano41 said:

I can not drink regular soda because of the sugar so I have a diet soda occasionally. During my first trimester it was ALL I wanted and craved it every day but I tried hard to limit my self. Now I have a couple a week. I am concerned about the artificialy sweeteners but most of them are approved by the FDA for consumption in pregnant women so I think in moderation they should be fine. Anecdotally, my mom said she had diet coke and sweet 'n low (which DOES cross the placenta) almost every day of her pregnancy with me and I have all my fingers and toes so I'm not super worried. I absolutely would not be worried about having half a diet coke one day!!!

This is me too. Regular soda just tastes too sweet/sugary to me, unfortunately. Otherwise, id go to that being my next best thing!

LyndseyLC · October 2013

My ob said one diet coke a day or every other day is fine.

kateleestar · October 2013

I might die without my caffeine.... So those woman can ROT! Lol.. If your 1/2 a glass of diet is awful for the baby, I'm just.. a horrible mother, sigh. I have adhd and I've used caffeine as a depressant since I was a kid... I mean, pre baby I was consuming 2k mg (lol, at least!) a day... Now I'm at about 400, which was cleared by my doc - I stopped sleeping when I went cold turkey... Totally not fun. If I don't have some caffeine at the end of the day, my mind won't turn off and I just.. stare awake into the darkness... And end up freaking DH out, LOL.

katieharpiceland · October 2013

I drink a coke a day! OK, sometimes two. :-) You're fine!!!

Stace0616 · October 2013

TP to your coworkers. Drink your diet coke in peace, girl. I had a coworker jump up my ass for the 4oz regular coffee I drink with milk and one Splenda...after cutting my normal caffeine by 80%. I finally whipped around and told her to mind her own fucking business--needless to say, I now enjoy morning coffee in peace.

KatieGummow · October 2013

I read that the one bad thing about diet soda and drinks is aspartame. They are unable to trace it in your body, and the studies they have done don't look too good. Everything in moderation, right? A diet coke every now and again is totally fine. As for the caffeine, they can suck it through their judgmental mouth holes

I drink coffee in the morning and sometimes tea or coke for lunch or dinner. If anyone said anything to me I would punch them in the ear.

KatieGummow · October 2013

dani+california said:

Don't let other people dictate what is best for you, pregnancy or not. You should politely tell them that while you appreciate their concern, it's really none of their business. Or you could do it how I would, and say you weren't drinking the whole bottle...you just needed something to wash your OxyContin and Percocet down with. Enjoy your pop. Tell them to eat balls.

I change my response to this.

baseballbride3 · October 2013

RILEYJM12 said:
Everything I have read said artificial sweeteners will not harm the baby but it's best to drink something with more nutrients!:)

The packet from my dr said that of the 3 major artificial sweetners out there, aspartame is the "best" to have when pregnant. I drink 1 diet coke every single morning-not a coffee drinker-and my OB has no problems with it. The information always recommends something more nutritious however, but the 45mg of caffeine in 1 can is well under the 200mg recommended limit. I'm willing to bet your coworkers don't follow every single recommendation for pregnancy-or life. Enjoy your diet coke. :-)

LittleLady77 · October 2013

Sugar Rush said:

spano41 said:

I can not drink regular soda because of the sugar so I have a diet soda occasionally. During my first trimester it was ALL I wanted and craved it every day but I tried hard to limit my self. Now I have a couple a week. I am concerned about the artificialy sweeteners but most of them are approved by the FDA for consumption in pregnant women so I think in moderation they should be fine. Anecdotally, my mom said she had diet coke and sweet 'n low (which DOES cross the placenta) almost every day of her pregnancy with me and I have all my fingers and toes so I'm not super worried. I absolutely would not be worried about having half a diet coke one day!!!

This is me too. Regular soda just tastes too sweet/sugary to me, unfortunately. Otherwise, id go to that being my next best thing!

I'm in the camp that thinks artificial sweeteners are worse than sugar. I don't drink much soda at all but when I do I make sure it's the real deal.

amhah09 · October 2013

LittleLady77 said:

Sugar Rush said:

spano41 said:

I can not drink regular soda because of the sugar so I have a diet soda occasionally. During my first trimester it was ALL I wanted and craved it every day but I tried hard to limit my self. Now I have a couple a week. I am concerned about the artificialy sweeteners but most of them are approved by the FDA for consumption in pregnant women so I think in moderation they should be fine. Anecdotally, my mom said she had diet coke and sweet 'n low (which DOES cross the placenta) almost every day of her pregnancy with me and I have all my fingers and toes so I'm not super worried. I absolutely would not be worried about having half a diet coke one day!!!

This is me too. Regular soda just tastes too sweet/sugary to me, unfortunately. Otherwise, id go to that being my next best thing!

I'm in the camp that thinks artificial sweeteners are worse than sugar. I don't drink much soda at all but when I do I make sure it's the real deal.

If you're diabetic though the sugar is an issue and most people don't think anything of the artificial sweeteners.

katieharpiceland · October 2013

What is it with people suddenly thinking they can tell you how your body looks and what you can and can't eat when you're pregnant??? You don't do this to NON-pregnant people. I don't get it?? If someone steps between me and my cola in the morning, they are getting some serious punishment.

kseccomb17 · October 2013

I am an admitted Diet Coke addict. I talked about this at my first appointment with my midwife. She says that they're more concerned about the caffeine content than the artificial sweeteners. She said that I could have one a day if i'd like, but I've really cut back... on a stressful day I don't mind cracking one open. I rarely drink the whole thing anyway, haha!

monkeybutt61612 · October 2013

Diet coke is gross, pregnant or not

hordol · October 2013

Nothing wrong with a diet coke here and there. As long as it's not your sole means of hydration, you will be fine. Caffeine content is around 30 mg or so per 12 oz, so well under the limit. There is lots of research out there that says artificial sweeteners are horrible for you, but the "horrors" are the same pregnant or not. Americanpregnancy.org, the Mayo clinic, and many others will say it's fine in moderation. So really, it's up to you and what you are comfortable with.

I had a lot of diet pop during the first 7 or 8 weeks or so. Now I mostly drink regular, but I still throw a diet in here and there (diet coke is my favorite.)

AEisens · October 2013

My OB said diet coke in a can or bottle is fine but there is an extra chemical in the fountain kind from restruants, etc. that you should avoid. I drink regular so it's not an issue for me.

AcaAwkward · October 2013

maelic said:
My OB (jokingly) said that she'd rather I drink vodka than artificial sweeteners. Easy enough for me, I don't drink soda/eat junk food. If I were you I'd switch to regular soda, the caffeine is really not an issue unless you're chugging a gallon a day.

My OB said the exact same thing to me (although she actually seemed pretty serious). She's super lax on most other "no nos" so I take her seriously and steer clear of my believed, terrible-for-me, god-nectar diet coke.

I rock out with my coffee though.

BuggasMom · October 2013

I love me a Big ole Diet Coke! Its the only soda I drink. I limit the amount I drink 2-3 a week. And I don't feel bad about it at all.
My ob said diet coke is fine. Those co workers are jerk wads .

Husker20 · October 2013

I drink about 3 diet cokes a week. I'm not too concerned with it

MrsH2you · October 2013

This was a huge debate at my office at lunch when I was drinking a regular coke. 4 never been pregnant ladies all said that drinking alcohol while pregnant was better than soda. Diet and regular. And they all said they wouldn't stop drinking the occasional glass of wine. Yeah right. Call me when you are pregnant and let's talk again.

Sisimama10 · October 2013

kateleestar said:
I might die without my caffeine.... So those woman can ROT! Lol.. If your 1/2 a glass of diet is awful for the baby, I'm just.. a horrible mother, sigh. I have adhd and I've used caffeine as a depressant since I was a kid... I mean, pre baby I was consuming 2k mg (lol, at least!) a day... Now I'm at about 400, which was cleared by my doc - I stopped sleeping when I went cold turkey... Totally not fun. If I don't have some caffeine at the end of the day, my mind won't turn off and I just.. stare awake into the darkness... And end up freaking DH out, LOL.

Ok this post just changed my life haha! I also have ADHD and usually when not pregnant take meds for it. I had no idea caffeine worked as a depressant on people with ADHD. I know caffeine has always worked so differently for me than other people, but had no idea of the connection! Very interesting! I will research this more!

dmosquera4 · October 2013

My doctor said one cup of coffee a day and soda doesn't have as much caffeine as coffee so that part would be fine but diet soda tends to have artificial sweeteners and that is bad for you either way pregnant or not so I would just drink regular soda unless you are diabetic then I guess diet is the only thing you can drink.... Hope this helps

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