Hot Tea and Water intake

JBennis1013

Hey Guys! I am a big hot tea drinker. I do not put any sugar, sugar substitutes, or milk in it. Do you count this towards your daily water intake or as another liquid?

Your opinion is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

jmae418

no, it's doesnt count. Neither does black coffee. I actually put it into the calorie counter and it comes up as 0. It also doesnt count if you add splenda to it.

TheMaidOfAstolat

Only if it is an herbal tea (tisane). If it is black or green there is caffeine in it. Caffeine is a diuretic and can actually dehydrate you....but the effect is minimal. I still have an extra 1/2 glass of water per every cup of green or black tea I drink.

Kate_UK

I do count tea. I drink a lot of tea, more than just plain water. I've read that both tea and coffee count because you would have to drink very large quantites of either to have a big enough diuretic effect to make them have a negative effect. Just my 2C worth though.

stella77

I read that you can count hot tea towards your water intake (any tea, not just herbal)
Recently, I read that you can also count black brewed coffee as well.
You have to substract sugar or honey if you take it with tea, but if you use sweateners you are fine then.

I read this in the Oxygen magazine last month as well (the first info came form Mood and Food book I am currently reading)

Personally, I don't count tea, but then again, I only drink about a cup a day. Planning to drink more tea, though, just read how great that is for you, like 2-3 cups, and not just green tea, any tea.

JBennis1013

Thanks for all your help. I drink Celestial Seasonings non-caffeinated tea.

chocolatnoir

I drink white and green tea plain and I do count it towards my water intake- however if I have 24oz I'll only count it as 16oz (2cups). These days I am also drinking a lot of hot water with lemon!

jmae418

ha ha I just re read what I wrote.... I meant to say that yes it counts towards your daily water intake and if you add splenda to it it still counts as zero!! I like constant coment or the republic of tea good hope vanilla. it's naturally caffene free

Mindful_Trent

Some people disagree, but it's my understanding (after doing lots of reading from various sources) that water is water. Your body can use water whether it gets it from food (think watery fruits/veggies) or from beverages that have other ingredients. Some things can cause your body to get rid of extra water (has a dehydrating effect) - caffiene is one of these... HOWEVER you have to drink a good bit of caffiene (more than a cup or two of coffee) to have that effect. Your body even uses the water it gets from soda - but unfortunately all the other stuff that comes along with it (sugar, carbonation, etc.) aren't good for you.

I count everything I drink that is water-based as water (coffee, tea, water), but if it has calories I will log it as food, too.

A short article explaining the whole caffiene thing: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661

kathiej13

I also am a big hot tea drinker however I switch to herbal teas after lunch. I do count the tea as my water intake and also try to drink at least 32 ounces of water each day to counter effect the caffeine in my morning tea.