why doesnt tea count towards water

llywyn

Is there any reason why when I drink unsweetened green tea that it shouldnt count towards my water goals for the day???

GumbyAnne

I would count it. I am no expert, though.

havingitall

Usually tea has caffeine in it. Even green tea has some

chgudnitz

Why don't you just drink water for your daily water? Does your tea have caffeine? If it does it does things to your body that water doesn't.

chrissyh

tea is also a diuretic - it's still got water content - it's your call if you count it - I don't

llywyn

I havent been counting it, but with winter coming up i know I'll be replacing a good deal of my regular water with warmer liquids. I do not like caffeine and make sure to dring decaf green tea or herbal as much as possible (and I like the antioxidant factor too).

chgudnitz

You actually need more water when its cold out. You dont realize that you are sweating when its cold since it evaporates so fast. Your body (remember the heat resistance of water) needs the water to regulate its temperature. It is a common mistake that people make in the cold, not drinking enough water.

astridfeline

I count it--I figure it contributes more water to the body than the diuretic effect causes water loss.

nehtaeh

I count it--I figure it contributes more water to the body than the diuretic effect causes water loss.

Same here.

bethsears

Tea does have a mild diuretic effect but it does count towards your daily intake of water, but not necessarily to the same degree that plain water would. Some foods also count towards your daily water intake (thin water heavy fruits). That is plain unsweatened tea! I would still drink some plain water though. The stronger the tea and the stronger the diuretic impact, the less water your body will absorb.

chgudnitz

Why even mess around with it? Just drink water for your requirements. Anything over that from tea or whatever is bonus.

Why play the wondering game? It's like taking medication that expired. Is it still good, am I still getting enough of what I need? 64 ounces of water a day is not a lot. It is 4 ounces per hour for a typical person that is awake for 16 hours a day. Half a glass. I'm done ranting, sorry.

strongandfit

Tea ( like coffee) is a diuretic. Its effect is the opposite to water.

CaGinger

I count 1/2 of the tea I drink. So if I drink 16oz I list that as me drinking 8oz of water. I get a tea in the morning then fill it with ice and water for the rest of the day. That way I get something other then water in the morning then all day long I know how much water I am drinking.

In short: I count it as 1/2

lessertess

tea can count as water. Medical advice about water intake is actually about fluid intake and you can get your fluids from water, tea, juice and even the foods you eat. The diuretic effect of tea is minimal. There's nothing that says all your fluids have to be from water. That being said, you still have to account for calories so if you are drinking juice or sweetened drinks, you do need to account for the calories.

havingitall

I havent been counting it, but with winter coming up i know I'll be replacing a good deal of my regular water with warmer liquids. I do not like caffeine and make sure to dring decaf green tea or herbal as much as possible (and I like the antioxidant factor too).

I drink hot water with a wedge of lemon squeezed in it. That will keep you warm and has no caffeine. As well, there are some awesome herbal teas out there. Peppermint tea, ginger tea and Tazo's Wild Sweet Orange are my favourites.

llywyn

As well, there are some awesome herbal teas out there. Peppermint tea, ginger tea and Tazo's Wild Sweet Orange are my favourites.

Totally agree! I love peppermint tea especially during the holidays! Celestial seasons lemon zinger is also a fav... and last year I got hooked on the decaf tea flowers for glass teapots... can't remeber the brand.

So it looks like if its unsweetened and decaf i'll be safe to count al least 1/2 as real water. Much appreciated advice from all!!

debtdummy

i drink robinson juice , never ever drink just water, i cant makes me thursty lol

mrd232

tea can count as water. Medical advice about water intake is actually about fluid intake and you can get your fluids from water, tea, juice and even the foods you eat. The diuretic effect of tea is minimal. There's nothing that says all your fluids have to be from water. That being said, you still have to account for calories so if you are drinking juice or sweetened drinks, you do need to account for the calories.

A huge second to this, and most would be surprised at the water content of many fresh foods.

With winter coming up, if you want a good cup of tea or joe, drink it and stop stressing about "ahhhhhhh! but I need 64 ounces of water or else!" It's possible to strike a balance and remain well hydrated.

iplayoutside19

Most days I probably drink in excess of 176 oz's of tea. Plus I get some water in there too. I'm pretty sure I'm hydrating myself enough.

And I drink it because I like it, and it doesn't contain calories.

BrendaLee

Why even mess around with it? Just drink water for your requirements. Anything over that from tea or whatever is bonus.

Why play the wondering game? It's like taking medication that expired. Is it still good, am I still getting enough of what I need? 64 ounces of water a day is not a lot. It is 4 ounces per hour for a typical person that is awake for 16 hours a day. Half a glass. I'm done ranting, sorry.

You're very passionate about your water! I don't count anything but plain old water from my Brita as water. Other things do count toward your daily fluid intake, but water is still water.

Demetria

I count it--I figure it contributes more water to the body than the diuretic effect causes water loss.

Same here.

ditto, for me, i use decaf

demetria

toots99

What about Crystal Light? It's a 5 calorie packet...and I use about 36 ounces of water to mix it in. Does that not count as water intake?

chgudnitz

Why even mess around with it? Just drink water for your requirements. Anything over that from tea or whatever is bonus.

Why play the wondering game? It's like taking medication that expired. Is it still good, am I still getting enough of what I need? 64 ounces of water a day is not a lot. It is 4 ounces per hour for a typical person that is awake for 16 hours a day. Half a glass. I'm done ranting, sorry.

You're very passionate about your water! I don't count anything but plain old water from my Brita as water. Other things do count toward your daily fluid intake, but water is still water.

I am, but not because of why you might think. The question was not what counts towards your fluid intake, it was does tea count as water. The answer is no, it doesn't.

You think its the same, volunteer somewhere to have the 2/3 of your body thats made up of water drained and replaced with tea, see how you feel after that.

I might be a little overboard with it, but tea is not water. It's not. No debate about it. Drink tea if you need to to get some hydration, its cool. But don't go saying its the same thing. It's not.

lisam829

I count water with crystal light as water. The water here is nasty, so instead of buying flat after flat of bottled water, I bring one bottle to work and continuously refill it and add crystal light to hide the taste. it is a bottle of water, all I have done is add powder to it. I count the crystal light in my meals though, because at 10 calories a packet x 5 bottles a day= 50 calories. still better than juice or soda.

toots99

I count water with crystal light as water. The water here is nasty, so instead of buying flat after flat of bottled water, I bring one bottle to work and continuously refill it and add crystal light to hide the taste. it is a bottle of water, all I have done is add powder to it. I count the crystal light in my meals though, because at 10 calories a packet x 5 bottles a day= 50 calories. still better than juice or soda.

I was just going to try to correct you and say "No, it's only 5 calories a packet", then I went to double check and make sure I read the packet right...I was half correct, it's 5 calories, but there's 2 servings to a packet! I am glad I read your post and double checked! Not that another 5 calories will do anything, but it's good to be fully informed!

romst19

How about carbonated water (naturally flavored - no sugar)? What do most of you think about counting that?

MacMadame

I thought caffeine was a diuretic too but it turns out it isn't. They've done a bunch of studies on it and consuming liquids with caffeine doesn't increase your urine output over a 24 hour period compared to not consuming it.

So I count it. (What little I consume of it anyway.)

metalpalace

I count it--I figure it contributes more water to the body than the diuretic effect causes water loss.

Same here.

You're both right.

edolphs71

When I met with a nutritionist, I asked about flavored waters and tea and she said if that's how I would get my water in then she had no problem with it. I mix it up with plain and flavored during the day.

OomarianneoO

I count water with crystal light as water. The water here is nasty, so instead of buying flat after flat of bottled water, I bring one bottle to work and continuously refill it and add crystal light to hide the taste. it is a bottle of water, all I have done is add powder to it. I count the crystal light in my meals though, because at 10 calories a packet x 5 bottles a day= 50 calories. still better than juice or soda.

I was just going to try to correct you and say "No, it's only 5 calories a packet", then I went to double check and make sure I read the packet right...I was half correct, it's 5 calories, but there's 2 servings to a packet! I am glad I read your post and double checked! Not that another 5 calories will do anything, but it's good to be fully informed!

Walmart has a knock-off of the Crystal Light tea and it has even less of something (just don't remember what it is at the moment). It's cheaper and I used to like the taste even better than the Crystal Light. I used to drink that to wean myself off of sodas. Anyway...yeah.