Diabetics must pay close attention to what and how much they eat and drink. The diabetes exchange system groups foods and beverages according to their carbohydrate content and impact on blood sugar levels. Sugar-free diet soda provides a calorie- and carb-free alternative to other beverages, such as fruit juices.
Diet Soda
Sugar-free diet soda, as well as sugar-free drink mixes, teas and tonic waters, count as free foods in the diabetes exchange system. These drinks contain fewer than 20 calories and less than 5 g of carbs per serving. However, the caffeine found in many diet sodas might cause increased blood sugar levels after meals, notes "Diabetes Forecast" magazine. Choose caffeine-free diet sodas whenever possible.
Fruit Juice
The diabetes exchange system groups fruit juices with fresh and dried fruits. A serving of food from the fruits exchange list contains 60 calories, about 15 g of carbs and no protein or fat. A half cup of apple, grapefruit, orange or pineapple juice provides one serving, or exchange, of fruit, and 1/3 cup of grape juice, prune juice or blends of 100 percent juices each provide one exchange.
Daily Intake
Diabetics can consume free foods and drinks in moderation as often as they wish, but diabetics also should consume only the recommended number of servings from each exchange list. Diabetics following 1,200- to 1,600-calorie diets need only two servings from the fruit list each day, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Diabetics with a 1,600- to 2,000-calorie diet can eat three servings per day, and diabetics with a 2,000- to 2,400-calorie diet can eat four.
Diet Soda and Diabetes Risk
Several studies have shown a correlation between diet soda consumption and the onset of type 2 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. A 2011 study led by the Harvard School of Public Health contradicted prior research, however, finding that men who drank more sugar-sweetened sodas had a higher chance of type 2 diabetes diagnosis, but not those who drank diet sodas.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Exchange List -- Free Foods
- MayoClinic.com: Exchange List -- Fruits
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Eating and Diabetes
- Harvard School of Public Health: Diet Soda Does Not Appear to Boost Type 2 Diabetes Risk
- Mayo Clinic: Soda Consumption Linked to Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Other Health Concerns
- Diabetes Forecast: Virtue or Vice?
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