I Tried the Viral Protein Diet Coke, and I Have Thoughts

If the 1990s were all about low-fat and the early 2000s were all about low-carb, then the 2020s are defined by a preoccupation with protein. Given the popularity of keto-friendly foods and low-sugar snacks, it’s hardly surprising that a viral TikTok recipe has transformed soda into protein-packed post-workout fuel.

I made protein Diet Coke to weigh in on the phenomenon and talked to a registered dietitian about its health benefits.

What is protein Diet Coke?

This buffed-up version of Diet Coke is the latest iteration of the dirty soda trend popular in Utah. Generally, dirty sodas are soft drinks mixed with dairy and sometimes fruit juice. Specifically, protein Diet Coke is a Diet Coke mixed with a bottle of Fairlife high-protein Core Power Vanilla shake.

It went viral after TikTok creator Rebecca Gordon posted a video with text that read, “Welcome to Utah where Protein Diet Coke is currently trending.” She proceeds to fill a gas station Super Swig with Diet Coke and the protein shake, swirls the mixture to combine and rates it a 10 out of 10.

Due in part to the region’s large Mormon population and the religion’s restrictions on alcohol and coffee, dirty soda has become so popular that Pepsi released its own version and Sonic now gives customers the option to “make it dirty” by adding coconut cream and lime to any drink. It’s only natural that protein Diet Coke is the next phase of the dirty soda trend.

How does protein Diet Coke taste?

For starters, I was surprised by how much the Diet Coke and the vanilla protein shake wanted to separate from one another. It took a good amount of stirring to bring them together.

Upon first sip, it was clear that these flavors play nice enough together. I wouldn’t say they complement one another; I’d rather drink each one separately. But Diet Coke is a mild base to layer with vanilla notes without too much of a flavor clash.

My biggest problem with the drink is that it tasted too artificial. Core Power Vanilla uses monk fruit juice concentrate and stevia leaf extract, both of which are far sweeter than sugar. Even when used in small amounts, they can produce a bitter aftertaste. Usually, that’s muted in Core Power’s vanilla flavor, but something about the signature chemical tang of Diet Coke brought it to the forefront and kept it there long after drinking.

Not everyone has these sensitivities to alternative sweeteners , of course, so it’s worth giving protein Diet Coke a try if you’re already a fan of either or both of these beverages. It’s a (theoretically) appealing way to make your daily caffeine more substantial, or your daily dose of protein more caffeinated.

Is protein Diet Coke healthy?

“Healthy” can mean different things to different people depending on their needs, so it’s not as simple as saying protein Diet Coke is “good for you” or “not good for you.” Here’s what we know: Diet Coke is free of both calories and sugar, but it contains aspartame, an artificial sweetener whose health effects have been studied for years. While the results aren’t necessarily conclusive, there is at least some evidence to suggest a link between aspartame and negative health outcomes. However, the FDA’s recommended daily aspartame limits are way above the amount that even an avid Diet Coke fan could typically drink.

As for Core Power Vanilla Protein Shakes, they do deliver on protein26 grams per bottleif that’s something your body needs (for example, after a workout). They also contain multiple artificial sweeteners and other ingredients that approximate what would already be present in the milk if it weren’t ultra-filtered during processing.

“Diet Coke isn’t necessarily going to be ‘healthier’ by adding a protein shake to it,” says Julie Andrews , a registered dietitian nutritionist at Taste of Home . “You’re still drinking a Diet Coke, and that’s fine in moderation.”

“If you enjoy Diet Coke and a protein shake, then enjoy that, too,” she adds.

The protein Diet Coke was easy to make, and it was fun giving it a whirl, but it’s hard to imagine that many people will make this beverage part of their daily routine.

The post I Tried the Viral Protein Diet Coke, and I Have Thoughts appeared first on Taste of Home .