What Soda Has the Lowest Carbs? The Ultimate Guide

December 19, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition information, many popular diet and zero-sugar soft drinks contain zero grams of carbohydrates. Navigating the beverage aisle to find out what soda has the lowest carbs can be tricky, as options range from standard diet drinks to prebiotic and naturally sweetened alternatives.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals which commercially available sodas have the lowest carb counts, focusing on zero-carb options. It covers popular diet sodas, prebiotic brands, and natural alternatives, providing a comparison to help you make informed choices.

Key Points

Zero-Carb Options: Most traditional diet and zero-sugar sodas, like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Diet Pepsi, contain zero carbohydrates due to artificial sweeteners.
Naturally Sweetened Choices: Brands like Zevia use natural, zero-calorie stevia leaf extract and are a great option for avoiding artificial sweeteners while maintaining a zero-carb count.
Sparkling Water: Plain or naturally flavored sparkling water (e.g., LaCroix, Bubly) is the ultimate zero-carb, zero-calorie alternative, containing no sweeteners at all.
Prebiotic Sodas: Brands like Olipop and Poppi contain prebiotics and are lower in sugar than regular soda, but they are not zero-carb and contain a few grams of carbs per serving from fiber and juice.
Artificial Sweetener Concerns: Some evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners might increase sugar cravings and negatively impact gut health, so they should be consumed in moderation.

Understanding Carbs in Soda

When seeking out low-carb beverages, especially sodas, it is important to distinguish between traditional, sugar-laden varieties and their low or zero-calorie counterparts. Traditional sodas, such as a regular Coca-Cola, can contain around 39 grams of sugar and carbohydrates in a single 12-ounce can. These are rapidly digested simple carbohydrates that can cause a sharp spike in blood sugar levels. For those on low-carb diets like keto, or simply trying to reduce sugar intake, these drinks are best avoided.

Low-carb alternatives achieve their sweet flavor by replacing sugar with artificial or natural non-caloric sweeteners. This is why most diet or 'zero sugar' sodas contain zero grams of carbohydrates and calories. While they won't add carbs to your daily tally, the choice often comes down to the type of sweetener used and its potential health implications.

Popular Zero-Carb Soda Brands

Several major and niche brands offer sodas with a zero-carb profile. Brands like Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, and Diet Coke are staples in this category, primarily using artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium to achieve their sweetness. For those who prefer natural sweeteners, brands like Zevia offer a compelling zero-carb lineup. Sweetened with stevia, Zevia provides a wide variety of flavors, from classic cola to ginger ale, without relying on artificial ingredients. Other options include flavored sparkling water, like those from LaCroix, Bubly, and Waterloo, which offer fizz and flavor without any sweeteners or carbs.

Prebiotic Sodas: A New Category

In recent years, a new category of 'healthy' sodas has emerged, often marketed for their gut-health benefits. Brands like Olipop and Poppi use a combination of natural sweeteners and added fiber, such as prebiotics, to create their products. It's crucial to read the labels on these, as some may contain a small amount of net carbs and calories from the fiber or real fruit juice concentrate. For example, Olipop may contain 16 grams of carbohydrates and Poppi around 8 grams per 12-ounce can, so while they are significantly lower in carbs than traditional soda, they are not zero-carb.

Low-Carb and Zero-Carb Soda Comparison

To better compare some popular options, the following table breaks down the nutritional content for a standard 12-ounce serving.


Beverage	Sweetener Type	Calories	Total Carbs (g)	Key Health Note
Zevia	Stevia	0	0	Naturally sweetened, free of artificial sweeteners.
Diet Coke / Coke Zero	Aspartame / Ace-K	0	0	Uses artificial sweeteners; research shows mixed health outcomes.
Diet Pepsi / Pepsi Zero	Sucralose / Ace-K	0	0	Artificially sweetened, zero calories.
Waterloo Sparkling Water	None	0	0	Simple carbonated water with natural flavors, no sweeteners.
Olipop	Stevia / Monk Fruit	45	16	Contains prebiotics and fiber; not zero-carb.
Poppi	Monk Fruit / Allulose	25	8	Prebiotic soda with apple cider vinegar; contains some carbs.

Potential Health Considerations

While zero-carb sodas offer an escape from sugar, it's worth considering the long-term impact of artificial sweeteners. Some studies suggest that the intense sweetness can perpetuate sugar cravings and influence gut bacteria, which can be counterproductive for weight management and overall health. However, some natural, zero-carb sweeteners like stevia and erythritol have not been associated with the same negative side effects. Ultimately, the healthiest zero-carb option is unsweetened sparkling water with a splash of natural flavor like lemon or lime.

Navigating Your Choices

Choosing the right low-carb soda depends on your personal health philosophy. For absolute zero carbs, artificial and naturally sweetened options are available. If you're cautious about artificial sweeteners, prioritizing brands like Zevia or sticking to flavored sparkling water is a safer bet. For those willing to accept a few carbs for potential gut health benefits, prebiotic sodas like Olipop and Poppi can be an option, but label reading is essential. The simplest and most universally recommended choice for cutting carbs and sugar is always plain water, but a low-carb soda can serve as a welcome occasional treat.

Conclusion

When asking what soda has the lowest carbs, the answer is any diet or zero-sugar soda, as these typically contain zero carbohydrates. However, for those concerned with more than just the carb count, the type of sweetener matters. Brands like Zevia and simple flavored sparkling waters offer zero-carb options free from artificial sweeteners. While prebiotic sodas like Olipop and Poppi are healthier than traditional soft drinks, they are not always carb-free due to added fiber. Reading labels and understanding the ingredients are key to making the best choice for your dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The terms 'diet' and 'zero sugar' are largely branding distinctions, but both typically contain zero grams of carbs and are sweetened with artificial or non-caloric sweeteners. Always check the nutrition label to be certain.

Yes, diet sodas like Coke Zero contain zero grams of carbs and calories per serving. They achieve this by using artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.

Most diet and zero-sugar sodas won't kick you out of ketosis, as they contain no carbs. However, some health experts suggest moderate consumption due to potential links between artificial sweeteners and increased cravings or metabolic disruption.

Natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are often considered a better alternative to artificial ones. Brands like Zevia use stevia for a naturally sourced, zero-carb sweet flavor.

Yes, flavored sparkling water is an excellent zero-carb alternative. Brands like Waterloo offer a satisfying fizz with natural flavors and no sweeteners, artificial or otherwise.

Yes, prebiotic sodas contain some carbs. While significantly lower than regular soda, they are not zero-carb because they contain ingredients like fruit juice concentrate and prebiotic fiber.

To check the carb count, always look at the nutrition label on the bottle or can. The 'Total Carbohydrate' line will tell you exactly how many grams are in a serving.