Green Tea question?

13

Replies

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    I'm sorry but I will only count plain water for my water intake for the day :smile:

    Thats your diet, which is fine but stop spreading misinformation to others.
  • pandagirl813
    pandagirl813 Posts: 84 Member
    Thank you for all your suggestions! I normally use my bigger mugs which hold about 1 & 1/2 cups of tea. I'm loving the Good & Delish Acai Pomegranate Blueberry Green Tea, and when i have it on hand i'll add half a lemon to normal green tea(i love it sour). Im not a fan of Stevia or honey because they give it a strange taste, and id rather just go without.
  • indiekicks
    indiekicks Posts: 15 Member
    I want to get into tea but I dislike hot drinks. I'm going to give it another shot though.

    When I make tea for my mom, I add cinnamon to hers and sometimes a little raw honey. I think those are better sweeteners than sugar.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    indiekicks wrote: »
    I want to get into tea but I dislike hot drinks. I'm going to give it another shot though.

    When I make tea for my mom, I add cinnamon to hers and sometimes a little raw honey. I think those are better sweeteners than sugar.

    Honey is made up of glucose and fructose. Table sugar (whether it is from beets or cane) is made up of sucrose which metabolozes into fructose and glucose. Honey is no healthier than table sugar but might taste better, depending on the person.

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I've tried several brands/flavors of green tea, in an effort to increase my fluid intake and stop drinking coffee (I put more sugar in a cup of coffee than I care to admit.) The one I've found the most tolerable is plain, Meijer-brand green tea. I don't add anything to it, and I let it steep as long as possible. I'm getting used to it, and whether it's all in my head or not, I find it decreases my appetite.

    Don't use water that is currently boiling (it should be at 185F or lower) and only steep it for 2-3 minutes. Longer than that or higher brewing temps will only bring out more tannins and make it bitter.

  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    I've tried several brands/flavors of green tea, in an effort to increase my fluid intake and stop drinking coffee (I put more sugar in a cup of coffee than I care to admit.) The one I've found the most tolerable is plain, Meijer-brand green tea. I don't add anything to it, and I let it steep as long as possible. I'm getting used to it, and whether it's all in my head or not, I find it decreases my appetite.

    Don't use water that is currently boiling (it should be at 185F or lower) and only steep it for 2-3 minutes. Longer than that or higher brewing temps will only bring out more tannins and make it bitter.

    Yep, green tea will burn and taste awful when brewed at a high temperature, or brewed for too long. I used to hate it, until I realized I was making it wrong! Mmmm, tea.
  • jdt242
    jdt242 Posts: 106 Member
    One of the biggest things you read about while researching weight loss is that green tea boosts your metabolism. Whenever i drink green tea i always add 2 tsp of sugar,so it doesn't taste like grass. I would like to start drinking more but do you think that there would be no point because of the sugar? Also does passion fruit tea help with weight loss(a friend gave me 5 boxes!)?


    Research shows circa 0.5lbs weight loss extra per month on considerable green tea intake (not just a couple of cups). The sugar definitely will not be helping. Take a supplement if you don't like the taste or add it in powder form to a homemade smoothie/juice. Lose the sugar.
  • 13bbird13
    13bbird13 Posts: 425 Member
    I tried green tea once... I didn't get so much a "grass" smell as a "doggie breath" smell. Now, to be fair, this was not a name-brand tea and it was from the cafeteria, so I'm sure there are better ones out there, but I'm having a hard time steeling myself to try again!
  • Aine8046
    Aine8046 Posts: 2,122 Member
    edited October 2014
    I love tea - black, green, white - you name it. No sugar - it ruins the taste. And, of course, it needs to be brewed properly - no tea bags, but loose tea and a tea pot. I drink about 4-5 cups a day :D
    Now, I do not believe it helps lose weight (other than makes me walk to the bathroom few more times during the day :D ) , I just enjoy the smell, the taste, and the warmth...
  • fatcity66 wrote: »
    999tigger wrote: »
    kmack29_ wrote: »
    i'm a huge tea person! i dislike just plain old water, so i drink lots of tea as a way to get my water in! when i started drinking green tea i added sugar as well, but now its straight! i find it an acquired taste. you can try drinking different types of green tea? i'm a big fan of honey lemon ginseng!

    you can't count tea as your water intake...water only...but at least you're staying hydrated.

    Think youll find its 2l of fluid a day. Tea and Coffee count towards it.

    nope, water is water in my book.

    Tea, sodas, and coffee all count towards your water intake.
    You don't have to go by "his/her book."

    I use to think this, but then I googled it a bit and discovered that the caffeine that is added to the water can actually end up dehydrating you if you don't balance it out with normal decaffeinated water.
  • I tried green tea for the first time today. I bought Twinings, which I think is a good brand. It said on the box to brew for only 1 to 2 minutes which I did... I quite like it. It doesn't have a strong flavour (possibly because I bought the caffeine-free version), but it's pleasant enough and I can happily drink it without milk. For me it will help weight loss as I'll be using it to replace some of the fruit juice I usually drink. So even if it doesn't actively boost my metabolism, it will help to cut down my calories. :)
  • hollyk57
    hollyk57 Posts: 520 Member
    I love green tea - but I don't look to it as a miracle weight loss aid. If it helps you to drink more fluids, that's a plus, but the sugar won't do you any favors. I like to make my green tea iced and then add lemon for some flavor and sweetness. It helps me to stay hydrated and feel somewhat energized.
  • NK1112
    NK1112 Posts: 781 Member
    edited October 2014
    I combine two teas, usually ... Green tea and a fruit herbal tea is my usual go to. No sugar. Just the tea. One trick I found is to not steep it as long as it is said to do ... I find the taste objectionable at the full steeping time.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    fatcity66 wrote: »
    999tigger wrote: »
    kmack29_ wrote: »
    i'm a huge tea person! i dislike just plain old water, so i drink lots of tea as a way to get my water in! when i started drinking green tea i added sugar as well, but now its straight! i find it an acquired taste. you can try drinking different types of green tea? i'm a big fan of honey lemon ginseng!

    you can't count tea as your water intake...water only...but at least you're staying hydrated.

    Think youll find its 2l of fluid a day. Tea and Coffee count towards it.

    nope, water is water in my book.

    Tea, sodas, and coffee all count towards your water intake.
    You don't have to go by "his/her book."

    I use to think this, but then I googled it a bit and discovered that the caffeine that is added to the water can actually end up dehydrating you if you don't balance it out with normal decaffeinated water.

    Google again. That information was debunked a few years ago.

  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    fatcity66 wrote: »
    999tigger wrote: »
    kmack29_ wrote: »
    i'm a huge tea person! i dislike just plain old water, so i drink lots of tea as a way to get my water in! when i started drinking green tea i added sugar as well, but now its straight! i find it an acquired taste. you can try drinking different types of green tea? i'm a big fan of honey lemon ginseng!

    you can't count tea as your water intake...water only...but at least you're staying hydrated.

    Think youll find its 2l of fluid a day. Tea and Coffee count towards it.

    nope, water is water in my book.

    Tea, sodas, and coffee all count towards your water intake.
    You don't have to go by "his/her book."

    I use to think this, but then I googled it a bit and discovered that the caffeine that is added to the water can actually end up dehydrating you if you don't balance it out with normal decaffeinated water.

    Google again. That information was debunked a few years ago.

    Yup. The slight diuretic effect is more than offset by all the water it's floating in. :smile:

  • crybaby1216
    crybaby1216 Posts: 20 Member
    I like the berry green tea it isn't as bitter but I don't drink it for weight loss just like the taste of it.
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  • bylot
    bylot Posts: 11
    http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp People read something in a magazine or Facebook share and that's it.. Nothing will change their minds.

    As for tea? I love it as a substitute, something to sip on. I alternate between a few different types and as someone above said, it is really important for the taste not to seep it for more than 3 minutes or so - it's like night and day. So if you've tried it but don't like it, that might be why.
  • leahhugh
    leahhugh Posts: 144 Member
    Green Tea is gross when HOT, in my opinion. I will fill a water bottle or glass with cold water, throw a tea bag in, and let it sit for about 30 minutes before drinking it. It's not bad cold! Just water and tea!
  • consideritdonemi
    consideritdonemi Posts: 88 Member
    I tend to add it to naturally sweet smoothies as a boost. Like spinach, kale, etc. you barely taste it because the other flavors tend to 'mask' the green tea taste. I usually make a concentrated mix to put in my smoothies...6 bags to 2 cups of water. Or just use a sugar substitute.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    edited October 2014
    So is init2winit66 right and that your 2L a day can only include water?
    On what basis is she making that statement?
    Where is it backed up?


    Anyone care to clarify?

    http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/healthy-beverages
    What Counts as Water?

    Fruits are an excellent source for water. Watermelon is 90% water, so it ranks highest on the list. Oranges, grapefruit, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew are also strong contenders.

    Vegetables, though not as full of water as fruit, can also provide a nutrient-rich water source. Stick with celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, and Romaine lettuce.

    There are plenty of hidden sources of water in your diet, says White. If you want to tap into these foods, reach for oatmeal, yogurt, soup, and smoothies.

    Besides guzzling water, milk is a top choice to refuel. Sodas, even diet ones, get a bad rap for lacking nutritional value, but they can still be hydrating. Juices and sports drinks are also hydrating -- you can lower the sugar content by diluting them with water.

    Coffee and tea also count in your tally. Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not offset hydration.

    Alcohol is a huge dehydrator, says White. You should try to limit your intake, but if you are going to raise a glass, aim for at least a one-to-one ratio with water.

    If you don't like the taste of plain water, White suggests adding lemon to it. Or test out your own concoction, like sparkling water with raspberries with a sprig of mint.
  • Um yeah, thanks Google... I'm not so sure about it now, lol. loqxvd16x7z2.jpg
    gre.jpg 258.4K
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    I'm not sure about the green tea for weight loss. I can't stand the taste, which is weird because I love Oolong and its a very grassy. I know that all teas contain polyphenols which are supposed to be good for you.

    Also, when i was pregnant I was drinking a ton of decaf black tea and my doctor told me not to have it with meals as it can interfere with digesting nutrients.
  • thiswillhappen
    thiswillhappen Posts: 634 Member
    I am a fan of green tea in general. I gotta say, one summer I drank a pitcher of green tea a day (instead of coffee) and I definitely lost weight, combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. I can't say for sure that the green tea would help on its own, but I definitely found that it suppressed my appetite (liquid+caffeine = feeling full longer). Putting sugar in it defeats the purpose though. Consider stevia, agave or coconut sugar, and then wean yourself off that. Mint green tea helps hide the grassy flavour, as well as fruity flavoured green teas, so try different combination herbal-green teas. It's not a miracle tea, but I think as part of a balanced habit system it can be a useful tool!
  • kellyvilla7
    kellyvilla7 Posts: 12 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    Instead of buying green tea do this. Take the money you would have spent and throw it up in the air outside on a windy day. Watch it start to blow away. Now chase after it and collect the bills. The calories you burn will probably help your weight loss more than the green tea.

    lipton green tea is like 95 cents at target

  • kellyvilla7
    kellyvilla7 Posts: 12 Member
    but as far as green tea goes I replaced my normal tea which I like the detox one by traditional medicines or chamomile to green tea I will update if I see results I thought it was worth a try
  • Add coconut oil to your tea. Mix in a blender. Frothy. Fat calories. Delicious!
  • fatcity66
    fatcity66 Posts: 1,544 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    fatcity66 wrote: »
    999tigger wrote: »
    kmack29_ wrote: »
    i'm a huge tea person! i dislike just plain old water, so i drink lots of tea as a way to get my water in! when i started drinking green tea i added sugar as well, but now its straight! i find it an acquired taste. you can try drinking different types of green tea? i'm a big fan of honey lemon ginseng!

    you can't count tea as your water intake...water only...but at least you're staying hydrated.

    Think youll find its 2l of fluid a day. Tea and Coffee count towards it.

    nope, water is water in my book.

    Tea, sodas, and coffee all count towards your water intake.
    You don't have to go by "his/her book."

    I use to think this, but then I googled it a bit and discovered that the caffeine that is added to the water can actually end up dehydrating you if you don't balance it out with normal decaffeinated water.

    Google again. That information was debunked a few years ago.

    Yep, not true at all.
  • Tim_Simons
    Tim_Simons Posts: 64 Member
    Green tea has caffeine which is not good. But I'd choose green tea over coffee. Sorry. I drink my coffee with NO SUGAR. I liked it. I noticed my tummy trimmed down but it's not that noticeable. As far as I know you have to drink tea 5x a day to lose weight. I only steep like 3x so I dunnow if that's a factor. By the end of the end, I make sure i drink lots of water. To flush out everything! Water is still the best for you body.
  • Juliarosemary66
    Juliarosemary66 Posts: 64 Member
    Interesting responses to what to count as water. Food for thought indeed! I have never counted my tea/coffee in my water and never reach the recommended water intake for the day! Now if I keep on drinking like I've been drinking I'll exceed my water target! A miracle indeed! I've improved my lifestyle with no effort! What a revelation! PS I love green tea!