"Do Diet Sodas Make You Fat?" This story just keeps coming up again and again, and each time it really ticks me off. I guess it makes for a "sexy" story, that something might do the opposite of what you expect, but it doesn't pass the scientific or common sense tests. I had trouble passing the scientific tests in college, but that's another story :-P.
Fact is that studies over the years have shown that products sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose can help people lose weight.
Of course you should think about what you are eating, that's what effective dieting and weight loss are all about. Making simple substitutions like changing from a full calorie soda to a diet soda is an easy way to trim off a few calories a day, especially with all of the great tasting options that are available now. Dieters and the weight conscious shouldn't be scared by stories that their zero-calorie soft drinks are what is causing weight gain.
The Calorie Control Council has some great information on the benefits of low-calorie sweeteners here and some info on how aspartame can be effective for weight loss here.
