What Soft Drinks Have Zero Carbs?

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by Healthline in 2020, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar contains zero carbohydrates, making it a viable option for low-carb dieters. For those watching their carb intake, knowing what soft drinks have zero carbs can be a game-changer for satisfying cravings while staying on track with dietary goals. This guide delves into the various options available, from major brands to healthier alternatives.

Quick Summary

Zero-carb soft drinks typically use artificial or natural non-caloric sweeteners to mimic sugar's taste. Options include major brand zero-sugar versions, alternative sodas like Zevia, and plain or flavored sparkling waters. Artificial sweeteners and their potential health effects are a common topic of debate within health communities.

Key Points

Mainstream Brands: Popular soda companies offer "Zero Sugar" and "Diet" versions of their classic drinks, such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Pepsi, which contain no carbohydrates.
Natural Alternatives: Brands like Zevia use stevia and other plant-based sweeteners instead of artificial ones to create zero-carb sodas for health-conscious consumers.
Sparkling Water Options: Plain or naturally flavored sparkling waters from brands like La Croix, Bubly, and AHA are a clean, zero-carb, and additive-free alternative to traditional sodas.
Sweeteners Vary: Different zero-carb drinks use different sweeteners, including artificial ones like aspartame and sucralose or natural ones like stevia and monk fruit, affecting flavor and health perceptions.
Moderation is Key: Despite being carb-free, diet soft drinks can have potential drawbacks, including maintaining sugar cravings and possible negative metabolic effects, so they should be consumed in moderation.
Read Labels: Always check nutritional labels to confirm zero-carb content and identify the sweeteners used, especially for newer or less common brands.
Hydrate with Water: While zero-carb drinks offer variety, water remains the best and healthiest beverage for hydration and overall well-being.

Mainstream Brands with Zero Carbs

For decades, major beverage companies have offered zero-carb and diet soda options that mimic the flavor of their traditional, sugar-laden counterparts. These are often the easiest to find and come in a wide variety of familiar flavors.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi Products

Both major players offer extensive lineups of zero-carb beverages. The 'Zero Sugar' versions are often formulated to taste closer to the original full-sugar versions than their 'Diet' counterparts.

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: Provides zero calories and zero carbohydrates, using artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium.
Diet Coke: A classic diet option, Diet Coke is also carb-free and sweetened with aspartame.
Pepsi Zero Sugar: This offers a bold flavor profile with no carbs, often containing a blend of acesulfame potassium and sucralose.
Diet Pepsi: Similar to Diet Coke, this is a long-standing sugar-free option.

Other Popular Choices

Beyond the cola giants, many other brands have zero-carb sodas available:

Dr Pepper Zero Sugar: A carb-free version of the iconic blend of 23 flavors.
Sprite Zero Sugar: Offers the familiar lemon-lime flavor without any carbs.
A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar: A popular zero-carb root beer option known for its creamy taste.
7UP Zero Sugar: A caffeine-free, zero-carb lemon-lime choice.
Sunkist Orange Zero Sugar: A zero-carb version for those who prefer fruity soda flavors.
Mountain Dew Zero Sugar: For those who need a caffeine kick with their citrus soda, this version has zero carbs.

Healthier Zero-Carb Alternatives

While mainstream diet sodas offer a solution, many health-conscious consumers seek out options without artificial sweeteners or coloring. Several brands cater to this market.

Stevia-Sweetened Sodas

Zevia: One of the most prominent brands in this category, Zevia offers a wide range of flavors, from cola to ginger ale, all sweetened with stevia leaf extract. It contains no artificial ingredients and is zero-carb.
Virgil's Zero Sugar: This line of sodas offers classic flavors like root beer and cream soda, sweetened with a blend that often includes erythritol. It's crucial to check the specific ingredients, as some people react differently to sugar alcohols.

Flavored and Unflavored Sparkling Water

For a truly minimalist approach to zero-carb beverages, sparkling water is an excellent choice. It provides the carbonation of soda without any sweeteners or additives.

Plain Seltzer or Sparkling Mineral Water: Contains just carbonated water, with plain seltzer having no added minerals. It is zero-carb and hydrating.
La Croix, Bubly, and AHA: These brands offer naturally flavored sparkling waters. They are zero-calorie and zero-carb, deriving their taste from natural essences.
Spindrift: While not strictly zero-carb, this brand adds a small amount of real fruit juice for flavor. Users should check the nutritional label, but the carb count is very low per can.

Understanding the Sweeteners

Zero-carb soft drinks achieve their flavor profile using various sugar substitutes. Understanding these can help consumers make informed decisions.

Artificial Sweeteners

Commonly used in traditional diet and zero-sugar sodas, these are synthetic compounds that provide sweetness without calories or carbs.

Aspartame: Used in products like Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Often used in combination with other sweeteners to improve taste, found in many 'Zero Sugar' products.
Sucralose: Used in some Pepsi Zero products.

Natural Non-Caloric Sweeteners

Derived from natural sources, these sweeteners are often preferred by those seeking to avoid artificial additives.

Stevia: Extracted from the stevia plant, it's used in Zevia and some other natural soft drink brands.
Monk Fruit Extract: Sourced from monk fruit, it is used in some low-carb sodas and other keto-friendly products.
Erythritol: A sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits, it is commonly used in stevia-based blends.

Comparison of Zero-Carb Soft Drink Types


Feature	Mainstream 'Diet' Sodas	Mainstream 'Zero Sugar' Sodas	Stevia-Sweetened Sodas	Sparkling Waters
Sweetener	Primarily aspartame	Blend of artificial sweeteners	Stevia, monk fruit, erythritol	None (or natural flavor essence)
Carb Count	Zero	Zero	Zero	Zero
Flavor Profile	Often has a distinct 'diet' taste	Aims to replicate original sugar soda taste	Unique, sometimes with a slight aftertaste	Clean, sometimes with natural fruit notes
Additives	Contains artificial colors, preservatives	Contains artificial colors, preservatives	Avoids artificial colors and most additives	Cleanest option, contains just carbonated water
Target User	Conventional diet beverage consumers	Those who dislike the taste of traditional 'diet' sodas	Natural-minded consumers, keto dieters	Those seeking minimalist, hydration-focused drinks

The Health Debate Surrounding Zero-Carb Sodas

While these beverages contain zero carbs, health experts advise against overconsumption. Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may maintain sugar cravings, disrupt gut health, and could potentially lead to weight gain by affecting metabolic responses. For this reason, many recommend water as the optimal beverage choice. The best approach is to enjoy zero-carb soft drinks in moderation and as an occasional treat, not a primary hydration source. More research is still ongoing regarding the long-term health effects of various sweeteners.

Conclusion

From mainstream brands like Coke Zero and Sprite Zero Sugar to more natural alternatives like Zevia and sparkling water, the options for zero-carb soft drinks are abundant. Whether you're following a ketogenic diet or simply reducing your sugar intake, finding a zero-carb beverage that suits your taste is easier than ever. It is important to read labels, understand the sweeteners used, and remember that water remains the healthiest option for hydration. Enjoying these beverages in moderation is key to a balanced diet. For more detailed information on diet sodas and ketosis, you can reference resources like articles from Everyday Health detailing diet soda and ketosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

While most major diet and zero-sugar soft drinks are formulated to contain zero carbs, it's always best to check the nutritional label to be certain. This is especially true for newer or less common brands, which might have slight variations.

'Diet' and 'Zero Sugar' sodas both contain zero carbs and calories, but they can differ in flavor profile and sweetener blend. 'Zero Sugar' versions are often designed to taste more like the full-sugar original, while 'Diet' has a more traditional diet soda flavor profile.

Plain and most naturally flavored sparkling waters, such as La Croix or Bubly, are zero-carb. They use natural flavor essences rather than sugar or juice for taste. However, always check the label, as some products might contain small amounts of juice that add carbs.

Many people consider Zevia a healthier option because it uses stevia, a plant-based natural sweetener, instead of artificial ones like aspartame. It also avoids artificial colors and phosphoric acid, which some people prefer.

Yes, some studies suggest that the intense sweetness of artificial sweeteners in diet and zero-sugar drinks can maintain or increase cravings for sweet flavors. This can make it harder for some people to stick to low-carb diets long-term.

Yes, because they contain zero carbohydrates, diet and zero-sugar soft drinks will not interfere with ketosis. However, some health experts recommend water or other natural alternatives due to concerns over artificial sweeteners and their potential impact on metabolism and cravings.

Common artificial sweeteners found in major zero-carb sodas include aspartame (in Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi), acesulfame potassium (in Coke Zero and Pepsi Zero Sugar), and sucralose (in some Pepsi products).