Research

Energy balance

Regular consumption of low/no calorie sweetened beverages (LNCSB) is a common and effective strategy for weight loss maintenance, as it helps individuals control total calorie intake without increasing hunger or subsequent food intake.

If you are trying to maintain weight loss, drinking low/no calorie sweetened beverages (like diet soda, diet coffee, or unsweetened tea) is a valid and common strategy. It helps you reduce total calories without making you hungrier. Focus on replacing sugary drinks with these options or water, as successful maintainers do.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
The majority who consume LNCSB (78%) felt they helped control total calorie intake... most other studies have found consumption of low/no calorie sweetened foods or beverages did not increase hunger or subsequent food intake... several interventional studies have shown that low/no calorie sweeteners can be an effective part of weight loss and weight loss maintenance programs.
Victoria A. Catenacci et al. · Obesity · 2014

Why this rating

The study is a cross-sectional survey of a self-selected registry (NWCR), which establishes correlation and self-reported behavior but not causation or long-term physiological effects.

Source

Low/No calorie sweetened beverage consumption in the National Weight Control Registry

Victoria A. Catenacci et al. · Obesity · 2014

DOI 10.1002/oby.20834

cross_sectional · n=434Cited 41×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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