How is diet root beer soda different from regular root beer soda?
The difference is the sweetener. Regular root beer is sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and typically has roughly 160 calories per 12 oz can (A&W lists 160). Diet or zero-sugar root beer uses non-sugar sweeteners and has little or no calories. Flavor, color and fizz are similar, but the aftertaste can differ.
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In this article
What is the difference between diet and regular root beer?
| Regular | Diet / zero sugar | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Sugar or high-fructose corn syrup | Non-sugar sweeteners |
| Calories (12 oz) | About 160 for A&W; varies by brand | 0 to a few |
| Sugar (12 oz) | About 43 to 45 g for A&W per retailer listings; varies by brand | 0 g |
| Taste | Fuller body | Thinner, with a sweetener aftertaste some people notice |
Figures vary by brand and country, so read the Nutrition Facts panel on the can.
Does diet root beer have aspartame?
It depends on the brand. Diet and zero-sugar sodas use various non-sugar sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose and others), and recipes change. We did not check each brand, so read the ingredients list. If you want to avoid aspartame, pick a product whose list does not contain it.
Is root beer healthy or bad for you?
Regular root beer is a sugar-sweetened drink with no nutritional benefit. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise keeping added sugars below 10% of daily calories, and one 12 oz can with about 43 g can use up most of that on a 2,000-calorie diet (about 50 g). Diet versions remove the sugar, but health bodies still advise drinking water as your main drink. Ask a doctor or dietitian if you have diabetes or another condition.
Is root beer healthier than Coke?
Not meaningfully. Both are sugar-sweetened sodas. Coca-Cola lists 140 calories and 39 g of sugar per 12 fl oz can; A&W root beer is listed at about 160 calories and 43 g or more. Most root beers are caffeine-free (Barq’s is an exception), while Coca-Cola lists 34 mg of caffeine. Compare the labels of the two cans in your hand.
Is root beer a soda, or a beer?
Root beer is a soda (a soft drink). It is not beer and is non-alcoholic. The “beer” is part of an old name. Modern root beer is made with flavorings, since safrole, a compound in sassafras root oil, was prohibited as a food additive in the US decades ago (sources give 1960 for the FDA action).
People also ask
Is diet root beer bad for you?
It has no sugar or calories, but it offers no nutrients either. Health bodies suggest water as the main drink. Ask a doctor if you have a medical condition.
Is root beer a soda?
Yes. Root beer is a non-alcoholic soft drink, not a beer.
Does root beer have more sugar than Coke?
A 12 fl oz Coca-Cola has 39 g of sugar, and A&W root beer is listed at about 43 g or more, so it can be slightly higher. It varies by brand, so compare the labels.
Sources
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