Mock indulgence is usually worse than no indulgence at all is my experience. Sodas with aspartame or saccharin in lieu of sugar taste off and are linked to numerous health problems, even compared to honest sodas sweetened with sugar. The existence of “diabetic cookies” provide a stunning example of the perils for those try to deny reality.
Artificial sweeteners have a checkered history at best, with Ludwig Von Beethoven dying from poisoning by an early artificial sweetener, and to this day virtually every artificial sweetener seems to be associated with cancer. I say, eat real sugar and accept it’s concentrated, purified, simple carbohydrates. Honesty is the best policy.