You probably saw the article from Reuters under the headline, "No Safe Haven: Diet Sodas Linked with Health Risks." It was as if I heard a collective "Oh, great!" from the whole diabetic community. You've tried to be good. You've avoided those full-sugar sodas for years thinking that you were making the healthy choice. And now this news. What does it mean?

First, it's important to realize that the research behind the article did not tie specific ingredients in diet soda to specific health problems. What the research did find was a strong association between the behavior of drinking soda and serious health risks. Here are some of the red flags raised by the study.

• Had a 31 percent greater risk of becoming obese.
• Had a 30 percent greater risk of developing increased waist circumference—which has been shown to predict heart disease risk better than weight alone.
• Had a 25 percent greater risk of having high blood sugar
• Had a 25 percent greater risk of having low levels of good (HDL) cholesterol

The research wasn't able to answer the question as to why drinking diet soda didn't help mitigate at least some of these risk factors. But the author did suggest that soda drinkers tend to eat more fat and lead more sedentary lives.

So what does this mean to the diabetic community? Don't use this as a reason to reach straight for that regular Coke, thinking that it makes no difference. The American Heart Association has reiterated their recommendation of "dietary patterns that include low-calorie beverages like water, diet soft drinks, and fat-free or low-fat milk as better choices than full calorie soft drinks."

Diet sodas can be a healthy alternative. But they are no substitute for eating a healthy balanced diet and getting adequate exercise.