diet coke

Doc said I have diabetes....male age 59 5'8".  I was 293 pounds and obese.  I got on Nutri Systems and lost 60 pounds so far and dropped my sugar level from 193 to 138tested last week at the VA clinic.  I'm still dieting but can't seem to find any imperical data or scientific evidence that the diet coke hurts me.  Brother, I do love my diet coke.   I drink lots of it.  Nutri Systems says you can drink all you want.  Anybody got the skinny on diet Coke.  Thanks a lot.  Steve  

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

HI Steve,
Congratulations on your weight loss, that is excellent.
In terms of the diet coke, it will likely not affect your blood sugars terribly(for most patients , it does not), but just keep an eye on your levels. My problem with sodas, diet or not, is that they have no nutritional value whatsoever. If you like your diet coke now and then, and your blood sugars are not affected, I see no problem with that right now, based on data that we have. But I would encourage you to drink plain old water as much as you can. It may not be as fun , but it is alot better for you :-)
Take care and keep up the great work.