Understanding the Ingredients
While diet soda claims to be zero-calorie, certain ingredients, like artificial sweeteners and flavorings, may contain trace calories. Aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium are common sweeteners used, and although their caloric content is extremely low, it’s not completely absent.
Calorie Additives in Diet Soda
Even though these ingredients don’t significantly contribute to calorie count, some flavor enhancers or stabilizers may add minor caloric value, rounding the total to less than 5 calories per serving.
Conclusion
Although diet soda is labeled as zero calories, its ingredients, especially artificial sweeteners, can introduce trace calories that are legally rounded down.