Diet soda and retaining water?

[TigH]

When I started WW, I got cravings for a glass of diet soda. My DH drinks caffiene free diet pepsi like there is no tomorrow, so we always have some in the house. I normally don't drink soda at all.

Seems like I was having a glass of diet soda either with lunch or dinner every day. I drank lots of water as well and didn't think a soda would make that much difference.

Last week I decided to say no to soda because I can't think of any nutritional benefit I'm deriving from it. ;) So after a weekend of being soda free, I feel so much lighter. I had been feeling bloated and puffy for the most part every night before I went to bed. I just thought it was all the water I was drinking. I haven't felt that way at all since Monday.

Am I crazy to think the diet soda was causing me to feel bloated or retain water? Has anyone else had this experience? Just curious. Thanks!

[Rhonda]

Some diet sodas contain a lot of sodium. That will make you retain water! I stick to Diet Rite because there is no aspartame or sodium or caffeine! Basically, it's flavored water! LOL!

[Libbysmom2000]

I know aspartame can cause bloating in some people. However, since you were drinking caffeine free soda I don't know what the water retention was from.

[CarolMN]

Isn't Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi sweetened with aspartame (aka NutraSweet)? As far as I know, Pepsi's other diet sodas use aspartame for the sweetener.

[nicolep91]

I drink Diet Rite too and really like it. The red raspberry is my favorite!!

Actually, I think most diet sodas now have very low sodium (1% or less). It's not the sodium that makes me feel bloated though, it's the carbonation.

[nativetxn]

I don't drink diet soft drinks. I like Dr. Pepper and if I can't have the real thing I don't want any (I can never have the real thing again, either :( )

My husband drinks Diet Dr. Pepper and lots of it and it doesn't cause him to retain fluid, but he's a guy and they don't seem to have to worry about this.

It could be causing fluid retention for you.

[Dizzy-Disney4]

I don't seem to have a problem with them, but I usually only drink Waist Watchers sweetened with Splenda,has no caffeine, and no sodium. Then, those I limit to maybe 1 a day as a treat instead of plain old ice water.