anyone drink diet soda?

[jenmcn1]

Just wondering if anyone has chosen to drink diet soda once in a while during their pregnancy? I didn't with my 1st baby, but I have had a few diet drinks with this baby...it has me paranoid.
What does your mw's and doctors say about it? I haven't asked my OB about it yet...but I THINK its ok once in a while? I know that the big concern is aspartame...any thoughts?

 

[mrsbailey8]

I drank diet coke throughout my first and beginning of my second trimester but then cut out all caffeine...my Dr never said anything about not drinking it...

 

[scarlett_s]

I drink it. I prob have 4-5 cans a week. Health Canada says that artificial sweeteners are fine in moderation. My Dr., dietitian and midwife agree. There is no conclusive scientific data that shows that artificial sweeteners have a negative effect of pregnant women and their babies. One of the big concerns is that they don't want pg women to drink too much diet soda and not get enough water or other nutritious foods. Also to watch the caffeine however that is another topic that has inconclusive scientific data. I also drink 1-2 c of reg coffee a day.

I am way more relaxed during this pregnancy. I also eat turkey sandwiches and have my eggs over medium and eat Cesar salad and my steak medium rare. I do avoid alcohol however and I try to make sure the majority of my diet is fresh whole foods and drink lots of water.

With all of that I have to say if it makes you feel anxious when you consume diet soda that don't do it. The stress and anxiety are probably worse for you then the diet soda.

 

[jenmcn1]

I drink it. I prob have 4-5 cans a week. Health Canada says that artificial sweeteners are fine in moderation. My Dr., dietitian and midwife agree. There is no conclusive scientific data that shows that artificial sweeteners have a negative effect of pregnant women and their babies. One of the big concerns is that they don't want pg women to drink too much diet soda and not get enough water or other nutritious foods. Also to watch the caffeine however that is another topic that has inconclusive scientific data. I also drink 1-2 c of reg coffee a day.

I am way more relaxed during this pregnancy. I also eat turkey sandwiches and have my eggs over medium and eat Cesar salad and my steak medium rare. I do avoid alcohol however and I try to make sure the majority of my diet is fresh whole foods and drink lots of water.

With all of that I have to say if it makes you feel anxious when you consume diet soda that don't do it. The stress and anxiety are probably worse for you then the diet soda.

Thanks so much! This makes me feel SO much better! I don't drink it often, and most of the time I drink just water. Lots of healthy food here as well...but there are times that I just feel the urge for something sweet...and I can't stand the taste of reg coke with all that sugar. Its something that I have tried hard to avoid, but when I do drink it-i don't want to lose sleep over it lol!!
I also agree ...I am sooo relaxed with what I eat compared to my 1st pregnancy...I also drink w cup of coffee a day...my doctor actually recommended it for my history of migraines. I also think I need the extra caffeine boost having to run after my 2.5yr old active son!! Lol!!!

 

[arlosmama]

I drink it everyday. Mostly caffeine free but I have never been a huge caffeine drinker. Actually I drink the most caffeine while I'm pregnant because I'm so tired...with my son I drank it all the time too. My midwife has never said anything to me about needing to stop.

 

[maria86]

I don't drink / eat anything with artificial sweeteners in it (except the occasional gum). I am paranoid about the negative health effects that are not fully researched I also used to eat A LOT of diet stuff through my teenage years due to eating disorders, so I definitely don't want to put any more into my body

That being said, it is very personal choice! For example, I try to avoid processed food, but I eat runny eggs and drink tea throughout my pregnancy without worry

 

[HappyAnjeL]

I'm usually very cautious (Cook everything well, no smoking, deli meat, runny eggs, alcohol etc).. and I drink it. My dietitian told me it was fine as long as I make sure to still drink lots of water.

 

[megrenade]

I drink at least 1 coke (regular, not diet or anything) a day.. my midwife would prefer I didn't, I'm sure.. but it really doesn't harm the baby.

 

[bananaz]

I cut caffeine out entirely in the first trimester but now I occasionally drink diet soda when I need a little energy boost. As others have said, the artificial sweeteners used in them (usually sucralose and/or aspartame) are considered to be safe during pregnancy, and the caffeine in a can of soda is way less than what's in your average cup of coffee.

As long as you're using common sense and not guzzling it by the liter I think diet soda is a pretty benign pregnancy vice

 

[Arisa]

I drink at least 1 coke (regular, not diet or anything) a day.. my midwife would prefer I didn't, I'm sure.. but it really doesn't harm the baby.

So do I, I drink regular pepsi and coke, usually two to three glasses sometimes more a day. I don't think its that bad, its not alcohol or anything

 

[jenmcn1]

I cut caffeine out entirely in the first trimester but now I occasionally drink diet soda when I need a little energy boost. As others have said, the artificial sweeteners used in them (usually sucralose and/or aspartame) are considered to be safe during pregnancy, and the caffeine in a can of soda is way less than what's in your average cup of coffee.

As long as you're using common sense and not guzzling it by the liter I think diet soda is a pretty benign pregnancy vice

Thanks! Yeah I'm not worried about the caffeine intake, but just the aspartame consumption. I don't feel too bad though after reading everyones responses! I think I have drinken(is that a real word?lol) about 8 cans of diet soda during the course of my entired pregnancy. Definatly not on a regular basis.

 

[Sunshine12]

I drink it. Sometimes caffeine free diet coke, sometimes normal diet coke. The whole aspartame debate doesnt bother me. If I want it Ill drink it. x

 

[Angelz79]

I have gestational diabetes and my nutritionist allows me up to 2 cans of diet soda as long I follow the rest of my diet. Caffeine free diet Pepsi is the only thing that makes my diet feel "normal" without seriously elevating my sugars. I also still have home brewed coffee during my commute to work each day but fill my travel mug with 1/2 coffee, 1/2 warm milk. It's no Starbucks mocha, but it keeps me sane.

 

[..katie..]

During first trimester, I drank caf free diet pepsi because it was the only thing I could hold down for more than two seconds (it stayed about five minutes lol) and then when I was finally able to eat/drink again, I gave up on any diet ideas I had and started drinking coffee and regular diet pepsi and eating anything in sight.

But yeah, I drink diet. Always have. Sugary sodas make my blood sugar jump and then crash, and they also make me panic. So fear of blood sugar issues mixed with panic attacks > fear of any issues with art. sweeteners or caf.

 

[EveEnRoute]

I used to drink quite a lot of diet coke (about a can a day), but switched to full fat coke when pregnant, as I drank it a lot on holiday when I was first pregnant, but before I found out I was, and then it was one of the few things that stopped me feeling queasy in 1st trimester. I try to limit it to a few times a week, but since the weather has been warmer I've been craving it more and more!

 

[Lollipopbop]

I've actually craved coca cola since being pregnant! I drink a coke zero 3-4 times a week. xoxo

 

[judge12]

I drink coke every single day, not the sugar free version either! Way I see it is my baby is fine and some people smoke during pregnancy so what is worse? my coke or their smoking?

Some things are hard to cut out.

 

[Cordelia Lynn]

I actually had to sign something saying that I would avoid anything unhealthy (like artificial sweeteners, etc...) Definitely go with your gut. If your gut is telling you not to drink it - then don't, even if numerous other people on here or in real life tell you that it's safe. My personal opinion is that it is not safe. But I'm not a scientist. Good luck!!

 

[Sew_Sweet]

Pretty much daily. Not all of the diet I drink has aspartame - some uses Splenda instead but yeah I do drink diet sodas - and tea - and coffee.

 

[ifoundmysoul]

that an water is all i can drink... squash or juice gives me heartburn to the point i can see why people mistake heartburn for heart attacks! most dont have aspartamine or at least dont have it listed!