I've Curbed My Diet Coke Obsession With Olipop, a Healthier Soda

I've Curbed My Diet Coke Obsession With Olipop, a Healthier Soda

I've been an avid Diet Coke drinker for as long as I can remember. But through the years, I've tried to intersperse my obsession with healthier alternatives. In all honesty, they usually didn't stick. Rarely would I try something that would impact me in a way that a cold bottle of DC would. That is until I got my hands on the social media-famous Olipop. Based in Oakland, California, and launched in 2018, the brand describes itself as a "new kind of soda." It was created to taste just like soda — and it does! — with that same sweet flavor and fizzy bubbles that many of us know and love. But what separates it from the pack, remarkably so, is that it's full of plant fiber and prebiotics to support your digestive and gut health. And here's the best part: The flavors are so good. (And did I mention the cans are cute?) Ahead, I break down everything you need to know about the brand and which flavors you need to scoop up stat.

Is Olipop Healthy?
Olipop was in development for two years before it launched, cofounder David Lester told POPSUGAR. The hard work paid off in a better-for-you can of soda that's dietician-approved. Put simply, fiber and prebiotics — types of carbohydrates that we can't digest — found in these drinks feed the naturally occurring probiotics in our bodies that deal with digestion. This, in turn, may make the probiotics more effective and create a more balanced microbiome (read: the living bacteria in and on the human body).

"It is OLIPOP's mission to provide a real solution to consumers that want to benefit their digestive health, drink less soda, and share an accessible health product with their friends and family," cofounder Ben Goodwin wrote in a post explaining more about this process. For context, each 12-ounce can of Olipop contains 9 grams of fiber and 2-3 grams of sugar. In comparison, a 12-ounce can of Coke has virtually no dietary fiber and 39 grams of sugar. Wild, right?

So what's the verdict, health-wise? Should you be drinking a few of these daily? Simply put, Olipop is a "more healthy alternative than reaching for a can of soda," says Patrice Amore, MS, RD, LDN, clinical dietician and owner of Amore Fuels Nutrition. One thing to keep in mind, though, is if you already eat a high-fiber diet that hovers near the recommended 25 to 30 grams per day, you may want to restrict yourself to "one to two a day max" to avoid a "fiber overload."

What I Like About Olipop
I love everything about Olipop, from the colorful packaging and ingredient transparency to the fun flavors and sweet taste (sans high sugar content). But if I had to pick a favorite it would be the flavors. I've tried all ten (twice) and can't say that I'm infatuated with every single one, but can't get enough of Classic Grape, Classic Root Beer, and Ginger Lemon.

What's Worth Noting
In my opinion, there's only one drawback worth noting: The price. A 12-ounce can costs around $3 and a pack of 12 costs around $30, whereas Coca-Cola costs just a fraction of that. Obviously, that's not financially sustainable for a lot of people, especially those who like to stock up in bulk. (For the record, I'm still entirely onboard with Olipop, but just stating the obvious: It's pricey).

Who Is Olipop Best for?
Olipop is best for those like me: People looking for a healthier alternative to classic soda. Once you determine what flavors you love most, you'll be hooked, too.

Ahead, check out the nutrition facts for each flavor and my honest review of how they taste, ranked from my favorite to least favorite.