Diet cola vs energy drink: which is healthier?

They are about equally nutrient-dense: diet cola scores 13/100 and energy drink 12/100, so pick by your goal. Both can be part of a healthy diet; the table below shows where each one is stronger. Source: USDA FoodData Central.

Diet cola

13/100Low nutrient density

1 kcal per 100 g. 1 can (355 ml): 355 g

Energy drink

12/100Low nutrient density

62 kcal per 100 g. 1 can (250 ml): 260 g

Which to pick for your goal

Fewer caloriesDiet cola1 vs 62 kcal per 100 g
More proteinAbout even0.1 vs 0.4 g per 100 g
More fiberAbout even0 vs 0 g per 100 g
Less sugarDiet cola0 vs 14 g per 100 g
More potassiumEnergy drink7 vs 10 mg per 100 g
Less saturated fatAbout even0 vs 0 g per 100 g

Nutrition side by side

Per 100 g and per typical portion. Bold marks the better value for each row.
Nutrient	Diet cola, 100 g	Energy drink, 100 g	Diet cola, 355 g	Energy drink, 260 g
Calories	1 kcal	62 kcal	4 kcal	161 kcal
Protein	0.1 g	0.4 g	0.4 g	1.1 g
Carbohydrates	0.1 g	15 g	0.4 g	39 g
Sugars	0 g	14 g	0 g	36 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fat	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Saturated fat	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Vitamin C	0 mg	25 mg	0 mg	65 mg
Vitamin A	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg	0 µg
Potassium	7 mg	10 mg	25 mg	26 mg
Iron	<0.1 mg	0 mg	<0.1 mg	0 mg
Calcium	3 mg	0 mg	11 mg	0 mg
Magnesium	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg
Sodium	4 mg	48 mg	14 mg	125 mg

Last updated November 12, 2026. Scores use the HowHealthyIs Score method.

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