WATER

randylevy

OK, I am having a debate with friends and am looking for a definitive answer. I am trying to get 8 cups of water in a day and find it terribly difficult. If I add a crystal light, I have much better success. I have been told that once I add Crystal Light it can no longer be counted as water.

Your Opinion Please.

hm_day

I've seen this debate on here before. I personally say that it can still count as water, as long as you add the caloric intake of the Crystal Light package, which is what? 10 calories? A lot of people use it to help them get their water intake for the day.

fabulousfebe

Water should be without additives. Water=Water; Water + Crystal light Lemonade=Lemonade :drinker:

ajfranzen77

My dad had gastric bypass done a few years ago and his doctor told him that it still counts, but you shouldn't do more than 1 or 2 glasses like that. It's not the same as drinking plain water. Same as coffee and tea, still water but not the same.

TopazCarey

I say it counts, but everyone has their own opinion on this topic.

acciomuscles

I have a hard time drinking water (even though it's basically the only thing I ever do drink) and I find that it is a million times easier if you use a STRAW! Try it

leomom72

i have the same problem drinking water..i add the drink mixes as well, but i don't officially count it as water in my water tracker..i guess it doesn't matter either way tho..good luck

breskittle

I was told by our wellness coach at work that it still counts but only do it for about 16 oz of your daily water. The rest should be plain.

pnieuw

I count all liquid I drink, because my body breaks it down and takes the water out of it. So, I count coffee, tea, water, Crystal light enhanced water, etc.

Don't even get me started on the 8 glasses thing....

cjack19

what if you added a few sqirts of lemon juice, lime juice or a slice of cucumber for some flavour?

leslturn8

well ill start adding cordial and say thats my water....? as someone said b4 only a few cups per day...
I think if you drink plain water and if your getting towards the end of the day and you have 3 cups left then add to it but i sorta class it as cheating....i hate water and yet i drink my 1 litre drink bottle and refil it again per day.

Mikesrobin

When I told my doctor I didn't like plain water she told me I could add Flavorings like Crystal light or Mio. I would still reccommend asking your doctor how they feel about the issue.

alyssamiller77

I've done a lot of research on this actually and the one common thread i've found is that water enters your body through a variety of sources and they all count. There's water in all the foods you eat and all the drinks you drink and it all "counts". Now the 8 cup guideline is based on the average amount of water your body needs in a day. Now certain items (for example soda) contain other ingredients that force your body to consume additional water just to digest them, so a cup of soda would not be the same as a cup of pure water.

So specific to crystal light your friend is not totally wrong but not right either. Adding the mix to the water could does add other elements that have to be digested which consumes some water. However the amount is very small. So even exaggerating it, those 8 cups may effectively be only 7 cups with the mix.

In reality, there are a ton of variables that affect how much water you need. As long as your properly hydrated (urine should be light in color or even clear) you'll be fine. That should be your real indicator.

NancyAnne1960

I've done a lot of research on this actually and the one common thread i've found is that water enters your body through a variety of sources and they all count. There's water in all the foods you eat and all the drinks you drink and it all "counts". Now the 8 cup guideline is based on the average amount of water your body needs in a day. Now certain items (for example soda) contain other ingredients that force your body to consume additional water just to digest them, so a cup of soda would not be the same as a cup of pure water.

So specific to crystal light your friend is not totally wrong but not right either. Adding the mix to the water could does add other elements that have to be digested which consumes some water. However the amount is very small. So even exaggerating it, those 8 cups may effectively be only 7 cups with the mix.

In reality, there are a ton of variables that affect how much water you need. As long as your properly hydrated (urine should be light in color or even clear) you'll be fine. That should be your real indicator.

Great response.

Soccer_chick916

I personally like water, and don't count anything with additives as water. I find it easiest to drink my water during my work outs. I have a 32 oz water bottle I got at walmart for $ 2.00 usd. 2 of those equal your total water intake for the day. It is so much easier to keep track of your water intake like that per day. Also during cardio I found end up drinking at least 32 oz of water because I usually do about 30- 45 min of cardio.

I'm not saying anyone is wrong here. I am just sharing a little personal experience. I hope you find it helpful.

Pollywog39

I've read that most doctors and nutrionists count water as water - whether flavored or not.
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The latest recommendations from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science, Dietary Reference Intake for Electrolytes and Water say:

"The fluids consumed do not have to be only water. Individuals can obtain their fluids from a variety of beverages and foods. Contrary to popular opinion, consumers do not need to consume 'eight glasses of water a day' to meet their fluid needs."

However my own personal opinion, particularly for people trying to lose weight, is to encourage additional water intake whenever possible. I feel it helps to cleanse the body when weight loss and fat breakdown is occurring. I also know that it helps to keep the hands and mouth busy, so snacking is less. This is a form of behavior modification. I personally know that many people feel better when at least 4-6 glasses of plain old H2O is consumed to help meet total fluid needs.

Written by Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

MelissaL582

I've seen this debate on here before. I personally say that it can still count as water, as long as you add the caloric intake of the Crystal Light package, which is what? 10 calories? A lot of people use it to help them get their water intake for the day.

dgarner5005

Try warm or room temperature water that always helps me. I drank only soft drinks my entire childhood and when I finally figured out that is bad for you my stomach wouldn't let me drink a lot of water. Room temperature water goes down smooth and I can drink 3 liters a day.

HMonsterX

People always get that quote wrong.

its "8 Cups of FLUID a day". Not "water".

As mentioned earlier, this doesnt have to come from neat water. Fruit, veg, soda, tea, coffee, they all count as they all hydrate. Even tea and coffee hydrate you, roughly 75% as much as a cup of pure water would, but it still hydrates you.

People who say they feel a benefit from drinking more water are either experiencing a placebo effect, or they weren't getting enough fluid in their daily diet before. Its not from drinking pure water.

sinclare

seriously? Water is water.

anything else is not.

HMonsterX

seriously? Water is water.

anything else is not.

No one said we need "water".

Water is water, correct.

Tea, coffee, juice, cordials, etc etc are fluids.


Our body needs "fluid" not strictly "water".

randylevy

Thank you all for your opinion and the research. I try to drink 4 16.9 oz bottles a day. That's a little over 8 cups. Two of the four are pure water and two are usually flavored. I think I am comfortable with that. Now when I drink a can of soda or store bought ice-tea I don't count it, but the water (flavored or not ) I do.

Thanks again everyone.

Randy

HMonsterX

Now when I drink a can of soda or store bought ice-tea I don't count it

Why not? It's fluid too!