What counts as 'water'?

DragonRider83

Sounds like a daft question, but do most people only count literal water in their log, or is it okay to count other drinks? I don't count caffeinated drinks because of the dehydrating effects, but what about low-calorie, caffeine-free drinks like diet lemonade? I struggle to reach my water goal (i.e. I've never actually reached it yet) but if I counted other liquids I probably would. For example, obviously a glass of diet Sprite isn't as healthy as water, but it's also virtually calorie-free and caffeine free, thus hydrating. Thoughts...?

cwolfman13

Just stay hydrated...you get "water" from all kinds of things, including your food. Worrying about what counts as water or having X amount of water per day, etc really isn't worth your time...just stay hydrated which means your urine will be clear to pale yellow. If it's darker than that you need more fluids.

cityruss

The Food and Nutrition Board released the sixth in a series of reports presenting dietary reference values for the intake of nutrients by Americans and Canadians. This new report establishes nutrient recommendations on water, salt and potassium to maintain health and reduce chronic disease risk. Highlights of the report include:

◾The vast majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide. The report did not specify exact requirements for water, but set general recommendations for women at approximately 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water -- from all beverages and foods -- each day, and men an average of approximately 3.7 liters (125 ounces daily) of total water. The panel did not set an upper level for water.

◾About 80 percent of people's total water intake comes from drinking water and beverages -- including caffeinated beverages -- and the other 20 percent is derived from food.

- https://iom.nationalacademies.org/Reports/2004/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-Water-Potassium-Sodium-Chloride-and-Sulfate.aspx

When we speak of water we are essentially focusing first and foremost on all types of water, be they soft or hard, spring or well, carbonated or distilled water. Furthermore we get water not only directly as a beverage but from food and to a very small extent also from oxidation of macronutrients (metabolic water). The proportion of water that comes from beverages and food varies with the proportion of fruits and vegetables in the diet. We present the ranges of water in various foods (Table 1). In the United States it is estimated that about 22% of water comes from our food intake while it would be much higher in European countries, particularly a country like Greece with its higher intake of fruits and vegetables or South Korea

- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/

Fluids come from the beverages you drink and the foods that you eat

Coffees and teas are not dehydrating. Limit caffeine intake to about 400 mg per day. That is equal to 750 mL (3 cups) of black coffee or 1 L (4 cups) of black tea per day.
Drink herbal teas or decaf coffee if you want to have more than the recommended amount of caffeinated beverages.

- http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Water/Why-is-water-so-important-for-my-body-Know-when.aspx

Fact or fiction: Beverages that contain caffeine will contribute to your daily fluid
needs? FACT! Research has shown that beverages containing caffeine, such as
soft drinks, tea, and coffee can contribute to meeting your daily fluid needs as
much as non-caffeinated beverages, such as water, milk, and juice do. Some of
these beverages may contain calories, which should be accounted for in your diet.

- http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/fammed/customcf/resources/nutrition/hydration.pdf

whmscll

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Just stay hydrated...you get "water" from all kinds of things, including your food. Worrying about what counts as water or having X amount of water per day, etc really isn't worth your time...just stay hydrated which means your urine will be clear to pale yellow. If it's darker than that you need more fluids.

This. I struggle to drink plain water, unless I'm exercising. I just find it boring. My go-to is diet lemonade (Crystal Light) or Arizona diet decaf iced tea. And I don't bother to count how much fluids. I go by pee color. Also, even caffeinated beverages do provide some hydrating benefits, so don't discount them completely.