Tea - does it count as a serving of water or not?

TNTwedell

Consensus around me:
the guys in my office say "yes. but you have to drink twice as much" ... hmmm.
my fiance "yes. even coke counts as water" ... hmmm. NO it doesnt, babe.

Please help. HAHA. I drink a lot of green tea & other variations since its so cold outside and would LOVE for it to count towards my water servings.
Thanks!

skcornett

Back in my WW days, we were told that a beverage counts as water if it isn't caffeinated or sweetened. That ruled out coffee, tea, juice, etc. Hope this helps.

pixiechick8321

Green tea would probably count - since it's basically flavored water. Perhaps half count it if you are worried? In general, I'd say minimally processed things are better - peppermint tea, spearmint tea, etc and things that are more processed are worse (ie, chai).

I also try not to go by "number of servings of water" but instead if you pee clear or almost clear, on a regular basis, and never feel dehydrated. In the winter, for example, I need more water because it's dry here.

Try and keep a water bottle near you at all times and only drink 1-2 cups of tea a day.

TourThePast

Yes it does count, as does soup (to those who disagree, think about this, your stomach has no way of telling whether you just ate dry food and drank a glass of water with it or had soup) but tea is mildly diretic so try not to get too big a proportion of your water from caffienated drinks such as tea and coffee.

twirwin

Here we go again.

Coffee and tea count as water.

MaraDiaz

I don't sweeten my tea or put milk in it, so I count it. Milk and soda I don't count. I know some people only count water, though.

sarahgilmore

Not if you're munching down the teabags dry.

Otherwise, yes if you want to count it, count it. Just remember to account for any calories added in milk/sugar

TNTwedell

Not if you're munching down the teabags dry.


Hilarious! And very good point

TNTwedell

Thanks everyone - it seems everyone does have a different position on the "Tea as Water" debate.
This round goes to Water - I will be counting it (but monitoring the pee & caffine)
thanks for all the help. Excellent points!

DopeItUp

Consensus around me:
the guys in my office say "yes. but you have to drink twice as much" ... hmmm.
my fiance "yes. even coke counts as water" ... hmmm. NO it doesnt, babe.

Please help. HAHA. I drink a lot of green tea & other variations since its so cold outside and would LOVE for it to count towards my water servings.
Thanks!

Water is water, whether it's in tea or in coke. Even the water in fruits and veggies counts. Do you think your body knows the difference? Of course, coke has a bunch of sugar and caffeine and other chemicals but at the end of the day it's 99% water.

kristelpoole

The only thing I count as water is water. The way I see it, I have no need to cut corners on water and it's not harm if I go over. Any other fluids (from soup, tea, etc) are just a bonus.

bhalter

I don't count if I would buy flavored drinks at the gas station or something, but if I make my own tea at my desk - yes, I add that as water. Same for coffee or flavored water.