I think we should put diet soda in its place. It is the perfect alternative when others are also having soda. Like all other 'diet' food, it is an alternative choice. Diet candy bars are for those times when it is either that or nothing.
My problem is...When I see that the cookies are 'sugar & fat free' the only thing I really see is FREE.
Also, my daughter is a chemist. Asparatime - the major sugar substitute in soda - is poisonous if it warm gets warm enough. Say you leave it in a car and drink it later. In enough quatity, it can make you very sick.
The little packets you can add to water to make it flavored are way too strong. I purchase a gallon (the big square bottle) of water and use only one packet. But, keep it cold, it has asparatime in it.
The fat substitute 'olestra' isn't too bad if you have 10-12 chips, but if you are like me and only see FREE on the bag, you will eat many more. Stay close to the bathroom, you will need it!
If you have to have the crunch, 1 oz of puffy cheetos is about 12-16. Eat them one at a time and slow. Enjoy that crunch appeal. It is only 15 carbs and no fat.