Yes. The Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women shouldn't take more than 200mg of caffeine a day. A can of Coca‑Cola Classic contains 32mg of caffeine and a can of Diet Coke contains 42mg.
Whatever it is, the bottom line is that pregnant women should skip the diet drinks. As much as they might seem like they might help limit weight gain, they don't. Instead, drink water and other unsweetened beverages.
The bottom line is it's OK to have an occasional diet soda or sugar-free food. Still, it's wise to check product labels and try to limit anything with artificial sweeteners (especially saccharin), just to be on the safe side.
While there are caffeine-free sodas, it's also best to limit them, since many are high in calories, which can lead to unnecessary weight gain. Even caffeine-free diet soda isn't a great choice during pregnancy (see below).
How much caffeine is in Diet Coke? People are often surprised when they learn that the amount of caffeine in Coke or Diet Coke is much less than in the same-sized coffee. Coke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, and Diet Coke caffeine content is 46mg. That's three to four times less than coffee!
Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals currently used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no credible evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.
If you've experienced a sudden love for cakes and fizzy drinks during the first few months of pregnancy, there's a reason for it. Duke says that most cravings occur in the first and second trimester as a result of the dramatic shift in hormones.
Sparkling water or seltzers are fine in moderation when pregnant — and a great alternative to sugary soft drinks. You'll just want to avoid bubbly drinks with added caffeine or artificial sweeteners, often found in diet soda.
Health Canada states that consumption of sugar substitutes during pregnancy does not pose a health risk but recommends that they be used in moderation so as to not replace nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy.
The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition consider aspartame to be safe for both the pregnant woman and the developing infant. The dietitians at the BWH Nutrition Consult Service/OB-GYN recommend no more than 1-2 servings/day of aspartame containing foods.
Aspartame does not cross the placental barrier. Aspartame breaks down into two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine,) and a small amount of methanol. Methanol is also found naturally in many foods such as fruits and vegetables and their juices.
Fizzy, sugary beverages can sometimes alleviate nausea better than plain water. “Carbonation can help to reduce the total acidity of the stomach, which may help the nausea dissipate,” Dr. Szarka says.
A 12-ounce can of diet soda contains around 200 milligrams of aspartame.
Yes. Diet Coke in our bottles and cans is sweetened with aspartame. We also offer Diet Coke sweetened with SPLENDA®.
"There's no measurable risk to having an occasional soda," says David Elmer, M.D., an OB-GYN at Nantucket Cottage Hospital in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Still, it's best to indulge in small amounts. Try to limit soda to one can or less per day, and remember to keep track of how much caffeine you're consuming overall.
Some pregnant women are surprised to find they experience a phenomenon called Pica, which is the desire to eat nonfood substances. In these cases, you may crave things like laundry starch, crayons, or dirt.
Diet soda is a zero-calorie, sugar-free version of a carbonated beverages. For example: to give the diet soda its classic sweet taste, Diet Coke contains aspartame and Splenda, both of which are artificial sweeteners, which contain no actual sugar or calories.
Diet Coke is addictive in nature for its two main ingredients: aspartame and caffeine (it contains 46mg per can — about one-third of the amount found in a same-sized cup of coffee). The combination of the sweetness from aspartame and the jolt of the stimulant make drinkers crave it.
Physical – The physical symptoms of aspartame poisoning can include nausea, painful swallowing, excessive thirst, diarrhea, and symptoms of a heart attack. Psychological – Aspartame poisoning can also mentally affect you, and causing changes in your mood.
Caffeine-free Diet Coke is the original great taste of Diet Coke, with no caffeine. A great choice for an afternoon or evening beverage. With Diet Coke naturally flavored feisty cherry and ginger lime, there's a whole flavor adventure waiting for you.
Asked if health-conscious consumers didn't prefer less rather than more caffeine, a Coca-Cola spokesperson sent us the following statement. "Caffeine is used to enhance the flavor of certain carbonated drinks, including Coca-Cola, and adds a slightly bitter taste which helps create a pleasant overal flavor in drinks.