Do you dump the diet drinks? What about sugar? Can’t too much lead to weight gain and a host of spin-off issues such as diabetes and heart disease? Absolutely. Aren’t artificially sweetened products a life saver for diabetics? You bet. We don’t have a definitive answer yet as to whether artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain. Yes, we know that calories in versus calories out determine weight loss and weight gain. But is there another facet to this? Is there a behavioral component relating to what the body expects to receive? The best bet until we know more is to be aware if and how artificial sweeteners affect you. Do you feel satisfied when you consume them? Do you want more food? Crave more food? If so, cut back your use and see what happens. If they don’t seem to be an issue for you in terms of how much food you eat, at least you’re aware.