What counts as water

shelbyfrootcake

It all counts. Liquid is liquid. Some stuff isn't as good as others, and some stuff is outright terrible, but it all still counts towards the end of day total.

prairiedawg2014

i drink 2 - 3 cups of green tea everyday, i count that as water along with my regular water. i also count crystal lite as a water .

azjenny72

I count water as water. I stopped drinking crystal lite because even though it is "sugar free" I noticed that it was having an affect on my blood sugars. However when I did drink it, I didn't count it because it has calories as minimal as they may be.

neverstray

The experts disagree, so I don't expect MFP members to agree. What I have read is that the research suggests that it all counts, coffe, tea, juice, ect. It all counts as water. Even your food contributes to your water intake. So someone that eats salad all day has a much higher water intake than someone who doesn't eat much veggies or fruit. So, you can count a lot of that as water. And, therefore, you don't have to drink as much water.

I count coffee, tea, and water. I don't drink crystal light, but I would count that. I don't drink juice, but if I did, I would count that.

Read before you make an opinion. There is tons and tons written on this topic. You could take either side. For me, I don't view things as independant from other things. It's one big giant intake valve. Water is contined in those things, and the research suggests that the myth about coffee dehydration is just simply not true. There is a small teeny tiny bit of dehydration, but it
IS almost so small that it is not detectable. Also, research suggests that if you eat a proper diet, including your veggies and fruits, you don't need 8 glasses of water. That is also a myth.

But, whatever your opinion is on this, it is not really that important. Do whatever you want.

kariinbliss

i was wondering the same thing as well... i drink a bottle of crystal ice sparkling water (pomegrante flavored) each day instead of my usual diet pepsi. both have 0 calories, but is the water any better?

karenwill2

I count water. Water is all I drink for the most part with the exception of my 45 calorie energy/vitamin drink. But I love my water so much, it is easy for me to be that way. Everything else is just gross to me.

TheCaren

I've heard it both ways. Only clear water in it's original form counts as water. But when I was in Weight Watchers, you could count a certain amount of ounces per day of things like Crystal Light or Mio as water. It was great for me back then because the zero calorie flavoring was the only thing that made the water palatable! I guess the question to ask would be, what is it in the water that we need so badly? Because if it's strictly the hydration, I'm not seeing how Crystal Light or Mio would affect that. I don't drink those items myself , but I could certainly argue in support of them.

I've heard it back and forth (even from those who would count Crystal Light as water) as to whether iced tea or coffee count. Some say the caffeine in them negates the value of the liquid because it dehydrates. If that's true, what about their decaffinated alternatives?

Currently, I'm only counting clear water as water. But when my water is low for the day (less than 64 ounces) I think back to other beverages I've consumed and figure they have to have had some benefit toward hydration.

aliciagetshealthy

For hydration purposes? Any liquid and plenty of different foods. The "only water" myth has been dispelled many, many times. For my actual water counter? Just plain water, but only because I prefer it to the additives you could put it. However, the additives don't make the value of the water any less. It's just not nearly as big a deal as so many make it out to be. my $.02

Greg3705

To be fair her tea is just water with crystalized ginger in it. Mine is the herbal tea bags

CapeCodSheila

If it's decaf, non-carbonated and minimal calories, I count it as water. That's from my old WW life.
I don't count tea or coffee if I put anything but sweetener in it
Funny how many opinions there are on this. great topic

karenwill2

I actually talked to my doctor about this and you are correct. Only water counts as water. She said things like crystal light and tea (even with out adding anything to the tea) takes away from the purity of the water and does add things to our bodies that we don't necessarily need.

I like your doctor.

DarkFlutter

Water = plain or flavored water...0 calories
Vitamin Water I log as my drink, but don't count as my water tally.

Coffee and tea I log as normal and do not count as water.
They generally have 2-5 calories/cup.

daryabella

As long as what you're putting into it is not caffeinated... I like to drink herbal tea for that reason.

sunshine2212677

i drink black decaff coffee, and i count that as a water.
it pretty much has nothing in it, and as its decaff it doesnt make you retain water.
anything else i add to water i count as snacks

hiker359

Water counts as water. Otherwise, it's called something else and should be counted that way.

sadyel

I count just water and green tea I dont count normal tea but I always have milk with that so it wouldnt anyway

Sox90716

Her side.

_SusieQ_

One oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds

_lizzie_

I personally dont count anything with caffeine like non-herbal teas or coffee as water. Also, if its sugary, not water. So that leafs (teehee) herbal teas, water, and 0 calorie drinks like crystal light and no caffeine sodas. Just my opinion. Do keep in mind the more water you drink though, the better. Some people will tell you only count water as water I think in the end this results in more liquids being consumed which is good too

wellbert

Count what you like, but pretty much anything with h2o content is hydrating. (Coffee, diet soda, a bunch of grapes, teas, water with crystal light in it, milk, blood, whatever.)

All these rules of thumb like 'only if it has 0 calories' or 'is clear' are just regurgitated meaningless silliness.

It's all mixed when it hits your stomach anyway.