Artificial Sweeteners and Calories
Diet sodas are sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, or stevia, which provide sweetness without adding significant calories. These sweeteners contain trace calories, but they are low enough for the FDA to allow rounding down to zero.
The Calorie Conundrum
Though artificial sweeteners have few calories, their impact on the body’s insulin response and appetite can influence weight gain indirectly.
Conclusion
Diet sodas can legally claim zero calories while using artificial sweeteners that have trace caloric content.