Jan 18, 2024
5 mins read
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5 mins read

Diet Pepsi vs Regular Pepsi: How They Compare in Calories, Sugar and Ingredients

Diet Pepsi vs Regular Pepsi: How They Compare in Calories, Sugar and Ingredients

Diet Pepsi is a popular zero-calorie carbonated cola drink produced by PepsiCo. It provides the signature Pepsi flavor profile without sugar or calories. Understanding Diet Pepsi nutrition facts around ingredients, calories, sweeteners and other attributes allows consumers to make informed choices about enjoying this iconic diet beverage. In this article, we will explore the nutrition facts of Diet Pepsi and compare it with other Pepsi products. 

Diet Pepsi Nutrition Label Breakdown

According to Nutritionix, a 12 fl oz (355 ml) can of Diet Pepsi contains 0 calories, 0 g of fat, 0 g of sugar, 0 g of protein, 57 mg of sodium, 14 mg of calcium, 0.1 mg of iron and 39.1 mg of caffeine. The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. Based on a 2000 calorie diet, Diet Pepsi provides 0% of the DV for fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber and sugars, 2% of the DV for sodium and 1% of the DV for calcium. 

Diet Pepsi is sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame K, which are artificial sweeteners that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for human consumption. Aspartame contains a source of phenylalanine, which is an essential amino acid that people with phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize. People with PKU should avoid products that contain aspartame.

Diet Pepsi also contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can enhance alertness, mood and cognitive performance. However, caffeine can also have negative effects such as insomnia, anxiety, jitteriness and increased heart rate and blood pressure. The FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to no more than 400 mg per day for healthy adults. A can of Diet Pepsi contains about 10% of this amount.

The Benefits of Choosing Low Calorie Diet Pepsi

Enjoying zero-sugar, fat-free Diet Pepsi offers certain advantages:

  • Zero Gram Carbs: No effect on blood glucose levels
  • Low Sodium: Just 1% Daily Value per can
  • No Sugar: Won’t cause energy crashes from spiking then dropping blood sugar
  • Zero Calories: Supports weight control and calorie deficit diets
  • No Nutritional Value: Allows you to get nutrition from other foods

The lack of macronutrients means Diet Pepsi provides no direct health benefits. However, it delivers tasty flavor while keeping calories and carbs in check. This makes it a potentially smart soda choice for: Diabetics, low carb dieters, anyone limiting sugar, people managing calories and those with prediabetes.

For healthy individuals, consuming zero-calorie sodas like Diet Pepsi moderately should pose little risk. But research continues investigating long term impacts.

 (Image: cnbc.com)

How does Diet Pepsi compare with other Pepsi products? 

According to the official Pepsi UK website, there are several variants of Pepsi that have different ingredients and nutritional values. For example:

- Pepsi: This is the original Pepsi product that has sugar and calories. A 330 ml can of Pepsi contains 139 calories, 35 g of sugar, 0 g of fat and protein, 9 mg of sodium and 32 mg of caffeine.

- Pepsi Max: This is a sugar-free and calorie-free version of Pepsi that has a higher amount of caffeine. A 330 ml can of Pepsi Max contains 2 calories, 0 g of sugar, fat and protein, 17 mg of sodium and 69 mg of caffeine.

- Pepsi Max Cherry: This is a sugar-free and calorie-free version of Pepsi that has a cherry flavour. A 330 ml can of Pepsi Max Cherry contains 2 calories, 0 g of sugar, fat and protein, 17 mg of sodium and 69 mg of caffeine.

- Pepsi Max Lime: This is a sugar-free and calorie-free version of Pepsi that has a lime flavour. A 330 ml can of Pepsi Max Lime contains 2 calories, 0 g of sugar, fat and protein, 17 mg of sodium and 69 mg of caffeine.

- Pepsi Max No Caffeine: This is a sugar-free and calorie-free version of Pepsi that has no caffeine. A 330 ml can of Pepsi Max No Caffeine contains 2 calories, 0 g of sugar, fat and protein and 17 mg of sodium.

- Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free: This is a sugar-free and calorie-free version of Diet Pepsi that has no caffeine. A 330 ml can of Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free contains 2 calories, 0 g of sugar, fat and protein and 17 mg of sodium.

As you can see, there are many options to choose from when it comes to Pepsi products. Depending on your preferences and dietary needs, you can find the one that suits you best. However, remember that moderation is key when it comes to any beverage consumption. Too much or too little of anything can have negative consequences for your health.

In this video below, let’s discover what too much diet soda does to your body and brain:

We hope you enjoyed this article about Diet Pepsi nutrition facts. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!