Can diet soda count as water???

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mzdocb

Yes. And Weight watchers IS a forever nutritional program. They teach you how to eat healthy in healthy portions. For life. Please don't let the water nazi's get you down!

LeanerBeef

It's your diary, log as you wish!

RunForChai

Sorry friend, the diet soda has to go for real weight loss and general health---I know, I know, heart-breaking---but how about plain sparkly water with a little lemon? That's my go-to-drink.

Cr01502

The amount of scaremongering going on this thread is apalling.

No one has ever died of drinking diet soda people.

I'm afraid it's just not the Doomsday scenario some of youmake it out to be.

And yes . . . since a large portion of diet soda is in fact water . . . . it does rehydrate you.

wolverine66

Water is water.
Soda is soda.
Diet Soda is Diet Soda.
Koolaid is Koolaid.
Crystal Light is Crystal Light.
Milk is Milk.
Orange Juice is Orange Juice.

And so on and so on.

I don't count anything as "water" unless it's straight water.

are you saying "it is what it is"?


because I hate that phrase...

Dulcemami4ever

If you add sugar free drink mixes like crystal lite to water, the body still counts it as water. However, most sugar free stuff has chemicals in it that are not so great for you. I suggest to drink water as much as you can. If you need something, put a tiny bit of crystal light in it or lemon. Once in awhile will not hurt you. But the body still takes in the water.

superjean1

Soda/diet soda is such a hard habit to break! After many years, I finally have given it up all together. I never thought I'd say it, but I don't miss it at all. On the rare occasion that I think I want some, I can't stand more than a sip. At first when I wanted something soda-like I mixed a little lemonade with seltzer water or club soda. Now even that tastes too sweet and I just drink seltzer water or club soda with a splash of pure lime juice. Very refreshing when you feel like you need bubbles...

GADavies

Ignore the stupidity, of course it counts, it's virtually 100% water. Saying it doesn't count is like saying the alcohol in beer doesn't count as because it's got water in it. Water is water, the body is smart enough to work out the rest from there.

tatianna68

With all that is in the news these days about junk food including soda (diet or otherwise) I am amazed that people still think it could be healthy.

frazzlecg

Wow, it's just a question. Some people are so mean I feel bad for the OP.

What's wrong with counting tea as water? It carries so many nutrients, long as you don't add sweetener or milk. God. The water police have arrived.

FredDoyle

Ignore the stupidity, of course it counts, it's virtually 100% water. Saying it doesn't count is like saying the alcohol in beer doesn't count as because it's got water in it. Water is water, the body is smart enough to work out the rest from there.

Yes. The lack of simple biology and chemistry education shown in this thread is frightening.
It counts to hydrate you. So will tea and coffee...gasp.

geebusuk

Really? What makes people think to even ask a question like this?

Judging by the vast majority of responses claiming things entirely contrary to all the scientific evidence I have seen, it's well worth asking.
But, perhaps not here where ill-reserached advice seems to be given.

What is the difference between eating a small bit of artificially sweetened cola flavour sweet and drinking 325ml of water and drinking a glass of diet soda?
Nothing.
If you had had said sweet, would you automatically 'cancel' the next glass of water you drank?

Some people find artificial sweetner increases their desire for carbs.
Others find that peanuts kill them.
This may be the case, if so, in either case it's worth avoiding the substances that cause you problems.
I wouldn't expect those that have issues with peanuts to tell everyone to not eat them.

Please stop drinking diet soda!
.....
Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison) (10 percent of aspartame)
Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin.x

sovokit:
Respectfully, I suggest you do much better research.
From Snopes:

Second, the claim that aspartame ingestion results in the production of methanol, formaldehyde and formate: These claims are factual. In the gastrointestinal tract aspartame is hydrolyzed to one of its component materials, methanol, as well as the two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. This methanol is taken up by the cells of the body and metabolized first to formaldehyde and then to formate. The key information that is missing in the description by Ms. Markle is that the levels of ingestion are very modest. In fact, there are other foodstuffs that we ingest that supply as much and sometimes even more methanol; e.g., citrus fruits and juices, and tomatoes or tomato juice. There are even higher quantities of methanol ingested when ethanol is consumed. Thus, in the final analysis this methanol is the same as from other sources and in the quantities consumed from aspartame, it is readily and naturally metabolized via the one-carbon biochemical cycle to entirely innocuous and natural body components.

In the past I to have mentioned caffiene being a diuretic to other people.
I have since looked in to and again the studies show this is not true:
From a nytimes article

One report, by a scientist at the University of Connecticut who reviewed 10 previous studies, appeared in June 2002 in The International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

Investigations comparing caffeine with water or placebo seldom found a statistical difference in urine volume, the author wrote. “In the 10 studies reviewed, consumption of a caffeinated beverage resulted in 0 to 84 percent retention of the initial volume ingested, whereas consumption of water resulted in 0 to 81 percent retention.”

Another study, in the same journal in 2005, involved scientists following 59 active adults over 11 days while controlling their caffeine intake. They were given caffeine in capsule form on some days and on other days were given a placebo. Researchers found no significant differences in levels of excreted electrolytes or urine volume.

As to what counts as water?

Well; just about everything!

The recommendation was driven by vested interests rather than health, suggests author Speros Tsindos of the department of dietetics and human nutrition at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.

((Chef Rodney Bowers, left, pours a glass of water as Russell Smith, organizer of a campaign to encourage the drinking of tap water instead of bottled water at restaurants, looks on. Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists.Chef Rodney Bowers, left, pours a glass of water as Russell Smith, organizer of a campaign to encourage the drinking of tap water instead of bottled water at restaurants, looks on. Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press) ))

"Humans need to maintain fluid balance and need to drink water when required, but should also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices. There is further evidence that water and a well-balanced diet does far more than water alone," Tsindos wrote.

"Water is important for health; however, the recommendation of eight glasses of pure water per day appears an overestimation of requirements."

Even a baked potato is 75 per cent water, said nutrition Prof. Susan Barr of the University of British Columbia, who sat on a Canadian-U.S. committee that looked at fluid intake.

"There's nothing magical about water from a glass of water as opposed to water from a food or any other beverage," Barr said.

If anyone has any GOOD SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE to disprove anything I've written, I'd love to see it.

I have taken the time to research this to some degree because I have a self interest in making sure my body works well.
I'd suggest you do the same - making sure it's good research supported by scientific studies, rather than some 'nutritionist' spouting water a bottled water rep told them over an expenses-paid lunch.

frazzlecg

Diet soda mimics sugar... drink it and you crave more. It may also increase cravings for other things bad for you. Water doesn't do this.

Don't forget too that to remove the sugar, they are sticking more salt and other chemicals in there. I've understood these chemicals especially bad for women's bone health. These drinks are not good for us we all know.

I struggle too - especially on 90 degree days after I just finished mowing the lawn - there is nothing I want more than an ice cold diet Pepsi. But still my goal is to keep the ban going and enjoy pure ice water instead.

In addition to causing bone loss, the artificial sweeteners in it causes the retention of belly fat. All soda is horribly unhealthy. Period. From personal experience, it is very difficult to cut it out altogether. However, it is possible. Start small by cutting one a day. Anytime you crave one drink an entire glass of water instead. Keep this up until you have cut back to maybe one a week. This is far better than a 3/day habit.

Diet pop does not make you retain belly fat. I really don't get where people get all this "information" from. Excess calories cause you to keep belly fat and nothing else outside of a medical issue.

I agree, where are your sources? Companies are not "sticking more salt" in soda. It's been the same amount since I've been alive.

ekz13

I think if you stick something IN your water (like a lemon or orange slice), then you can count it as water AND a slice of lemon or orange. Otherwise, I wouldn't count it toward my total.

I agree...


when I add a slice of red velvet cake to my water I count it as water and cake (but the cake has no Kals since the water washes them away first) :happy: :drinker:

Cr01502

Really? What makes people think to even ask a question like this?

Judging by the vast majority of responses claiming things entirely contrary to all the scientific evidence I have seen, it's well worth asking.
But, perhaps not here where ill-reserached advice seems to be given.

What is the difference between eating a small bit of artificially sweetened cola flavour sweet and drinking 325ml of water and drinking a glass of diet soda?
Nothing.
If you had had said sweet, would you automatically 'cancel' the next glass of water you drank?

Some people find artificial sweetner increases their desire for carbs.
Others find that peanuts kill them.
This may be the case, if so, in either case it's worth avoiding the substances that cause you problems.
I wouldn't expect those that have issues with peanuts to tell everyone to not eat them.

Please stop drinking diet soda!
.....
Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison) (10 percent of aspartame)
Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin.x

sovokit:
Respectfully, I suggest you do much better research.
From Snopes:

Second, the claim that aspartame ingestion results in the production of methanol, formaldehyde and formate: These claims are factual. In the gastrointestinal tract aspartame is hydrolyzed to one of its component materials, methanol, as well as the two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. This methanol is taken up by the cells of the body and metabolized first to formaldehyde and then to formate. The key information that is missing in the description by Ms. Markle is that the levels of ingestion are very modest. In fact, there are other foodstuffs that we ingest that supply as much and sometimes even more methanol; e.g., citrus fruits and juices, and tomatoes or tomato juice. There are even higher quantities of methanol ingested when ethanol is consumed. Thus, in the final analysis this methanol is the same as from other sources and in the quantities consumed from aspartame, it is readily and naturally metabolized via the one-carbon biochemical cycle to entirely innocuous and natural body components.

In the past I to have mentioned caffiene being a diuretic to other people.
I have since looked in to and again the studies show this is not true:
From a nytimes article

One report, by a scientist at the University of Connecticut who reviewed 10 previous studies, appeared in June 2002 in The International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

Investigations comparing caffeine with water or placebo seldom found a statistical difference in urine volume, the author wrote. “In the 10 studies reviewed, consumption of a caffeinated beverage resulted in 0 to 84 percent retention of the initial volume ingested, whereas consumption of water resulted in 0 to 81 percent retention.”

Another study, in the same journal in 2005, involved scientists following 59 active adults over 11 days while controlling their caffeine intake. They were given caffeine in capsule form on some days and on other days were given a placebo. Researchers found no significant differences in levels of excreted electrolytes or urine volume.

As to what counts as water?

Well; just about everything!

The recommendation was driven by vested interests rather than health, suggests author Speros Tsindos of the department of dietetics and human nutrition at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.

((Chef Rodney Bowers, left, pours a glass of water as Russell Smith, organizer of a campaign to encourage the drinking of tap water instead of bottled water at restaurants, looks on. Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists.Chef Rodney Bowers, left, pours a glass of water as Russell Smith, organizer of a campaign to encourage the drinking of tap water instead of bottled water at restaurants, looks on. Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press) ))

"Humans need to maintain fluid balance and need to drink water when required, but should also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices. There is further evidence that water and a well-balanced diet does far more than water alone," Tsindos wrote.

"Water is important for health; however, the recommendation of eight glasses of pure water per day appears an overestimation of requirements."

Even a baked potato is 75 per cent water, said nutrition Prof. Susan Barr of the University of British Columbia, who sat on a Canadian-U.S. committee that looked at fluid intake.

"There's nothing magical about water from a glass of water as opposed to water from a food or any other beverage," Barr said.

If anyone has any GOOD SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE to disprove anything I've written, I'd love to see it.

I have taken the time to research this to some degree because I have a self interest in making sure my body works well.
I'd suggest you do the same - making sure it's good research supported by scientific studies, rather than some 'nutritionist' spouting water a bottled water rep told them over an expenses-paid lunch.

Just wanted to repost this.

Thanks for ACTUALLY taking the time to educate people.

And yes . . . judging by the number of incorrect responses to this thread.

It was indeed . . . . a good question.

Dulcemami4ever

Wow, it's just a question. Some people are so mean I feel bad for the OP.

What's wrong with counting tea as water? It carries so many nutrients, long as you don't add sweetener or milk. God. The water police have arrived.

Exactly lol. This is getting out of hand. How could someone think that tea is not counted as water? Tea is ALL water and some herbs. Regardless of caffeine. The body still counts the water inside the tea and hydrates itself. Diet Soda contains water.The OP did not ask if it was good for her. She asked if it could be logged as water. I would probably just log it as soda because of the sodium in it. And then drink some water as well. The body still takes the water from the soda. There is a lot of fear mongering on this site. Can't be afraid of every single little thing or you wont eat, drink or go outside.

frazzlecg

Please stop drinking diet soda!

What Is Aspartame Made Of?
Aspartic Acid (40 percent of Aspartame)
Aspartate and acts as neurotransmitter in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate is why it is referred to as an "excitotoxin." It "excites" or stimulates the neural cells to death.

Phenylalanine (50 percent of aspartame)
Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal).
One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published the "Wednesday Journal" in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.

Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison) (10 percent of aspartame)
Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolites are toxic." They recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.

Hate to tell you but John Cook is not a valid study published in a scientific journal. I've drank wayyyy more than 6-8 diet sodas a day. My memory is intact and I did not suffer from one headache. The mood swings and violent rages are hysterical. Looks like someone had a pre-existing condition for a mood or psychotic disorder, lmao. A one person documentary is not a valid source. Sowwy.

GoMizzou99

This topic NEVER goes away. Yes it counts as water.

For instance, I am drinking a bottle of pure, crystal clear, filtered, mountain spring water and eating a pack of gummy bears. Is it the same as a soda in my tummy? Yes. But I drank water....hmmm.

nwg74

If the drink is 99.9% water (which it will be) then count it as water. It doesn't matter if it is full sugar, diet, coffee, tea etc. It is still fluids.

now_or_never13

With all that is in the news these days about junk food including soda (diet or otherwise) I am amazed that people still think it could be healthy.

News/opinion is one thing... proof is another. There is no proof as of yet.

Sarauk2sf

Yes

gmove

Geezus. Can you hear the judgement in some of these answers? Kudos to those of you that posted sarcastic-free answers.

loranch

Uhm NO. And it causes cancer. Just saying.......

Ya and supposedly so does the computer your sitting in front of and the cell phone that's in your other hand... Just saying

Sarauk2sf

I think if you stick something IN your water (like a lemon or orange slice), then you can count it as water AND a slice of lemon or orange. Otherwise, I wouldn't count it toward my total.

I agree...


when I add a slice of red velvet cake to my water I count it as water and cake (but the cake has no Kals since the water washes them away first) :happy: :drinker:

Why would you make a perfectly good red velvet cake soggy? Shame on you!

PetulantOne

I love these threads. I'm not going to read all the YOUR GOING TO DIE replies, but I survived for decades drinking nothing but soda. I was never dehydrated. The point in drinking water is to stay hydrated, not release the magic toxins. Drinking a couple diet sodas a day is not going to kill you.

andyisandy

This whole thread makes me so sad.

Yes, count it as water. Soda is hydrating. Shock, horror!

You know how many people subsist on soda and never drink water? Do you think they're dying of dehydration?

Soda is hydrating. It is very slightly less hydrating than pure water, but that's irrelevant.

Finally a good response

weird_me2

Really sad that it took pretty much 4 pages to get some good answers (I know a couple of you said yes earlier on).

From the Mayo clinic on how much water we actually need:

"In addition, beverages such as milk and juice are composed mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages — such as coffee, tea or soda — can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is still your best bet because it's calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available. "

This is from an article complete with additional references.

The whole "you need 8 - 8oz glasses of water a day" and "soda/caffeinated beverages don't count or even make you need more" thing was actually revised a few years ago. People (even doctors) have just been slow to catch on.

Me, personally? I don't count anything as water. I know I get enough liquid so I don't bother. If it has calories I log it, if it doesn't, oh well. A person doesn't need to make themselves down 64 oz of water on top of their 32 oz of soda and 12 oz of milk and cup of soup to stay hydrated. If they are meeting the markers for being properly hydrated, I say, do what you will.

Until three weeks ago, I regularly drank upwards of 8-10 C of diet soda a day. I managed to lose about 53 of my pounds while maintaining this habit. Since I've quit, nothing's changed, except my bank account's a little fuller. I gave up the pop becuase I was spending an excessive amount of money on it that I could be spending on other things, like good chocolate or clothes or new running shoes.

ThickMcRunFast

Ugh, having a diet soda will not kill you.

But caffeine is a diuretic, and can cause mild dehydration if you are not used to it.

In short, having a diet coke is fine. Getting ALL of your hydration from diet coke, not so much.

Jintak

Ok this is making me really annoyed.

Before you guys assume lame ideas that have no scientific backing, let snopes crush your dreams and revive some others.

Here's some homework:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp
http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp

I don't wanna hear anyone else complaining against soda counting as water. Before you whine and judge, research. Then talk.