# Why Diet Coke? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 31, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629 "2002-10-31T02:28:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/41 "2002-10-31T16:19:41Z")
A small Coke has 150 calories. Small french fries have 210 calories. I get a lot more enjoyment out of the french fries. I don’t like water, so that’s not an option. Never try to mix the drinking of diet and normal soda. If you drink one consistently, you get used to it. If you drink both (not at the same time), the sweetness levels are different enough that it’s nasty. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/42 "2002-10-31T16:19:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fluiddruid \* > \*\* My favorite is Diet Cherry Coke, though it is awfully inconsistent in its availability. (I can never find it in bottles or anywhere except in cases at select grocery stores, and even then only sometimes.) \*\* Ditto! I am one of those people who gets looked at funny for ordering a high-volume McDonald’s meal and a Diet Coke. My preference is similar to others’ here: The drink exists to quench my thirst and cleanse my palate, remaining a neutral substance. Sugary soda only makes me thirstier and my palate ickier. Diet Coke is like water for that, only I hate water and it makes me hungry. And I like the taste of diet soda OK. Lately I have switched to flavored sparkly water (with Sucralose/Splenda NOT Nutrasweet) because it performs the above functions and is not plain water (bleah). That’s at home though; out I would order a diet soda of whatever stripe. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/43 "2002-10-31T17:06:13Z")
I like Diet Coke, though I never used to. I used to prefer Diet Rite, then Diet Pepsi, then Diet Coke. My preference order has reversed recently. As or why I drink it, it has no sugar. I try to restrict my carbs (though not very successfully of late), so why would I waste them on pop? I mostly drink water, though - at least 1/2 gallon a day. I have a pop at lunch 3 or 4 days a week. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/44 "2002-10-31T17:11:19Z")
Hi. My name’s Scylla and I’m aspartame dependent. I drink diet coke instead of regular coke, because the sugar in regular coke hurts my teeth. Then I found out that I actually like Diet Coke better than any other drink in the world. Aspartame, Caffeine Fizz. What more do you need? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/45 "2002-10-31T17:34:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lobsang \* > **Drink Diet coke for the health? why not drink water then?** Too much water gives me indigestion. As does practically any amount of Diet Coke. Has anyone seen Diet Vanilla Coke yet? I’d like to try one to see if it agrees with me or if l should stick to Diet Pepsi or Diet Dr Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/46 "2002-10-31T17:49:55Z")
Heathen! Diet Coke is the nectar of the Gods! Well, at least, once you add some lime juice to it… When I don’t have lime juice available, I prefer Diet Dr.Pepper. Sugared drinks are just way too sweet for my tastes. Someone once called them “liquid candy bars”- and he was entirely too accurate. ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/47 "2002-10-31T17:56:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ceejaytee \* > \*\*I prefer Diet Pepsi. I drink diet sodas (and Diet iced teas) because I hate hate hate the taste and mouthfeel of corn syrup and sodas are loaded with them. It grosses me out. \*\* My first choice is Diet Dr Pepper, but I like most diet sodas. I started out drinking Diet Coke while staying at a friend’s and when I tried to go back to drinking sugar pop, I found I was pretty disgusted with the instant coating of corn syrup. I don’t notice an aftertaste any longer, maybe in the same way people don’t notice the corn syrup coating. I also noticed I no longer cared for most sugary bubble-gum or candy (excluding chocolate). I think as grossed out as non-diet drinkers are with the taste of artificial sweeteners, there’s probably the same amount of diet drinkers that are grossed out by the corn syrup. ---
**Author:** ![typo\_mna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@typo\_mna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typo_mna)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/48 "2002-10-31T19:25:45Z")
I’ve noticed that high fructose corn syrup (in drinks, at least) gives my mouth and throat a sort of gritty, dry feeling. I don’t like that feeling, so I stick to diet cola, when I drink any sort of cola. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/49 "2002-11-01T00:55:16Z")
I couldn’t find it in the US but had success in Canada… Pepsi Max. (_Maximum taste, No sugar_) Once you Max you will never look at another brand of cola again. The labelling is not that different to regular Pepsi and I once bought that in error and the main difference was that after the Pepsi I felt bloated and full as if I had just eaten something stodgy. Pepsi Max feels like I have had a refreshing drink, not a hot fried jam doughnut. Pity me, I had to drink Diet Pepsi in the USA… oh the humanity! In comparison to Pepsi Max I find Diet Coke just tastes of chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/50 "2002-11-01T01:16:00Z")
Diet coke is bad. pepsi max is worse, diet pepsi makes the first two look like vintage wines. I have never had, nor seen diet dr peper. I hope I do so as to formulate an opinion. If I were a health nut who went to fast food restraunts I’d happily drink carbonated water if they sold it. it has coke’s ability to refresh and ‘wash down’. ---
**Author:** ![Melandry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Melandry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melandry)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/51 "2002-11-01T01:42:42Z")
**Jeff Olsen** , I hav eseen diet vanilla coke. I haven’t tried it though. I disagree about “mixing” diet and regular sodas, though. At the same time, yes, vile, but I alternate between regular and diet Coke with no problems at all. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/52 "2002-11-01T02:06:04Z")
I always knew **Scylla** was a good man. Now I know why. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/53 "2002-11-01T02:56:39Z")
My reasons: 1. Diabetes. 2. Each can of regular Coke has about 140 calories. Diet Coke = 0 3. Bottled water is $1.50 from the machine for 20oz. Diet Coke is $1.00 for 20oz. 3a) The free drinking fountain is putrid and not cold. 1. I like the taste. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/54 "2002-11-01T03:53:22Z")
This is an issue near and dear to my heart. I drink[sub]am slightly addicted to[/sub] regular coke. I’m allergic to (or intolerant of) nutrasweet/aspartame. It gives me a sharp headache. For some reason, a lot of diet coke drinkers assume that everybody is a diet coke drinker. On more occasions that I can count, I have been offered a “coke” or asked for a coke, only to be given diet coke. “Oh, I assumed that’s what you meant,” I get told. Or “Huh? I thought _everybody_ drank diet!” 😕 ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/55 "2002-11-01T04:47:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > \*\*Aspartame, > Caffeine > Fizz. > > What more do you need? \*\* And, Scylla wins the debate 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2002, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/56 "2002-11-02T09:16:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > **I, too, couldn’t understand why on earth someone (outside of a diabetic) would consume Diet Coke _on purpose_.** My reply is **not** meant to offend any diabetics. I guess inside of a diabetic, you take what you can get. I don’t remember my choice of beverage inspiring “funny looks” at FF places. Of course, that may be because I’m already the weirdo who wants ketchup and pickles only. But when I was a cashier at McD’s, and during shorter stints at Burger King and Carl’s Jr., I didn’t give a hoot what anyone ordered, as long as they **told** me that they wanted a value meal instead of ruminating, “I’ll have a Big Mac [careful perusal of tote board] and large fries annnnnnnd…[brow furrowed in deep thought] a Diet Coke! [worn out from deliberation]” Whereas if they’d just said “Big Mac Value Meal”, I could have rung it up already while they were weighing the crucial decision of their beverage flavor. When I lived in Pittsburgh, some newspaper columnist scoffed at people who order a Diet Coke along with metric tons of pasta, thinking it a lame attempt to offset all the calories and carbs. Fact is (as I said in a letter to him), diet cola offsets the **taste** of tomatoes and spices. Regular cola is too sweet not to overpower tomato gravy, and it ruins garlic even for people who like it. Yes, we could drink water, but most Americans have been conditioned to need carbonation in a beverage. I don’t like Diet _Coke_, (I’m one of the rare specimens who actually prefers Pepsi One) but I always drink diet cola unless there’s something I _really_ want instead, or it’s simply not available. Some people are also concerned about their teeth; they don’t want all that sugar swishing around in their mouth. I’ve lined enough dentists’ pockets. **Thudlow Boink** , I don’t remember ever being given a choice in a restaurant beyond that between regular and diet. I don’t think most places even **have** those flavors. You do have a cool name, though. Sounds like a character from a P.G. Wodehouse/Tom Robbins collaboration (yes, I know that would be impossible). ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2002, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629/57 "2002-11-03T17:04:17Z")
I like some brand of diet soda more than others, but, i have to remember to drink it, instead of reaching for sugary soda. I don’t like Diet Coke, nor Diet Code Red Mt. Dew and Diet Rite is awful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-diet-coke/134629.md?page=2)