Does Iced Tea count towards daily Water intake?

LEdmonds2016

Hello all. I know that we are supposed to get at least 64 oz of water a day. But my question is: Does iced tea (unsweetened) count toward the water intake? Or is it 64 oz of actual water?

Any suggestions or comments are welcome!

cwolfman13

Staying hydrated is what is important...the actual beverage doesn't matter...you want to stay hydrated.

lilithsrose

I count all liquids as water consumption. I live off of tea and water.

sijomial

Why do you feel the need to count water (or other zero calorie fluids which are mostly water...) at all?
Do you have any symptoms of dehydration?

Random numbers are pointless - hydration needs are individual not universal.

YosemiteSlamAK

Tea would count towards your water intake in terms of your getting 64 oz. per day. If I log the tea for calories, I don't log it under my water in MFP. My unsweet tea does not register as calories in MFP though so I switched to logging it as water consumption.

LEdmonds2016

sijomial wrote: »

Why do you feel the need to count water (or other zero calorie fluids which are mostly water...) at all?
Do you have any symptoms of dehydration?

Random numbers are pointless - hydration needs are individual not universal.

I was having a discussion with my co-worker on the correct amount of water needed per day. We realized it was up to the individual but the question came up about coffee/tea and whether those counted toward your water intake. She doesn't drink enough water in the day and feels dehydrated. I've challenged her to a 'drink-off' to see if we can get her water intake up.

AnvilHead

1) The 64 ounce thing is a myth. It doesn't take into consideration one's size, the climate/temperature, sweat/exertion levels, etc. A sedentary man working in an air conditioned office building will have radically different hydration needs than a man doing construction labor in Phoenix, AZ in the middle of summer. Additionally, you also get water from many foods you eat.

2) It's also a myth that drinking water, in and of itself, does anything to increase weight loss. It may help with satiety for some people (although I've always found that silly because I know the difference between when I'm hungry or thirsty) and it may help if you are drinking water or other zero-calorie beverages in place of other drinks which contain calories. But there's nothing magical about drinking water that increases weight loss.

3) Tea is water which has been strained through tea leaves. Coffee is water which has been strained through ground up coffee beans. Soda and flavored fruit drinks are water which has some flavorings and carbonation added. They're all over 99% water and contribute toward your hydration. The diuretic effect of caffeine is so small as to be negligible unless you're drinking tons of it (as in more than most humans would ever rationally drink).

sijomial

LEdmonds2016 wrote: »

sijomial wrote: »

Why do you feel the need to count water (or other zero calorie fluids which are mostly water...) at all?
Do you have any symptoms of dehydration?

Random numbers are pointless - hydration needs are individual not universal.

I was having a discussion with my co-worker on the correct amount of water needed per day. We realized it was up to the individual but the question came up about coffee/tea and whether those counted toward your water intake. She doesn't drink enough water in the day and feels dehydrated. I've challenged her to a 'drink-off' to see if we can get her water intake up.

It would have to be very strong coffee not to have a net hydrating effect.

Colour of urine and frequency of urination are far more helpful than comparisons with other people's intake or some mythical one size fits all amount. 8 glasses a day is just a myth that has entered common folklore - zero basis in science.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24464774

AnvilHead

LEdmonds2016 wrote: »

sijomial wrote: »

Why do you feel the need to count water (or other zero calorie fluids which are mostly water...) at all?
Do you have any symptoms of dehydration?

Random numbers are pointless - hydration needs are individual not universal.

I was having a discussion with my co-worker on the correct amount of water needed per day. We realized it was up to the individual but the question came up about coffee/tea and whether those counted toward your water intake. She doesn't drink enough water in the day and feels dehydrated. I've challenged her to a 'drink-off' to see if we can get her water intake up.

Science, as opposed to folklore/mythology:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/821181/myths-and-facts-about-hydration-requirements