Are diet soft drinks, other artificially sweetened beverages, and diet foods safe for kids?
There is no solid evidence that diet soft drinks or other artificially sweetened beverages are unsafe for children. However, NHPS does not recommend them in general because they often take the place of healthier drinks like fat-free or 1% (low-fat) milk, water, and limited amounts of 100% juice. If your child normally drinks large amounts of sugary beverages, artificially sweetened drinks may work well as a transition to healthier options, with the end goal being mostly fat-free or 1% (low-fat) milk, water, and limited amounts of 100% juice (only 4 oz. per day). Due to the uncertainties about sugar substitutes and its benefits for weight control, NHPS does not have a standard recommendation for its use.
