Plain Water versus Flavored Water (i.e., Crystal Light)

Doesn't make any difference. It's water. If the drink has calories, log those as well.

Setting aside the debate over additives like Aspartame, Splenda etc, water doesn't necessarily have to be "clean" to count. What you are counting is the water content, regardless of what else is in it. Technically, your daily water intake can come from soda, milk, Kool-Aid, juice, etc. It can also come from fruits and veggies. The trick is getting enough water content in the healthiest way possible. Even though it's technically possible to get most or all your water from the food you eat, drinking plain water is a good way to ensure you have enough fluid, and it can also help curb your appetite. I personally feel that if you won't drink plain water, a little flavoring is better than not drinking water at all. But, there are lots of opinions out there and I'm sure you'll hear a lot of different ones in this post!!

I would count it as water too. I am addicted to soda and can't really drink plain water without feeling like it is SO boring! So I do crystal light full flavor in a bottled water. Then when I am halfway done I refill it with water to dilute it some so I can get used to the more watery taste. Hopefully one day I can drink water plain!! LOL!

I am not a fan of water either, but I recently tried "SmartWater", it's distilled. I actually like it. No metallic taste, very smooth.

I am not a fan of plain water so I add the five-calorie Crystal Light packets to my water.

Question: Since I am not drinking "clean" water (the Crystal Light is loaded with aspartame and other additives), should I count the Crystal Light water as my water consumed, or should I count it separately and only count plain water as my water consumed?

Does it make a difference?

Thanks, in advance, for your input and advice.

I always counted it as water. But left me tell you after cutting out the chemical sweeteners I feel SOOO much better.

You can count the crystal light water as water consumed. The basic idea is to consume enough fluids to stay hydrated, so adding something to water is fine. I add flavored stevia drops -- yummy!

I just started using Mio, it's like kool aid for grownups:drinker:

I'm the same way.

My rule of thumb is if it is caffeinated don't count it because caffeine is a diuretic that if you don't have other forms of water can cause water retention, the point of drinking water is to help reduce the water you are retaining. also watch out if it contains Sodium because that can cause water retention too. Bottom line if you notice the scale not moving down and there isn't a reason for it up your water intake and see if that helps.

I would recommend trying Mio water flavorings

My rule of thumb is if it is caffeinated don't count it because caffeine is a diuretic that if you don't have other forms of water can cause water retention

This is actually a common myth. According to the Institute of Medicine, "unless additional evidence becomes available indicating cumulative total water deficits in individuals with habitual intakes of significant amounts of caffeine, caffeinated beverages appear to contribute to the daily total water intake similar to that contributed by noncaffeinated beverages." But, as you said, it is important to check for sodium, not so much for in sodas, but in soups and whatnot.

So basically, water is water, whether it's in coffee, soup, or an orange. There's so many ways to get it in that the 8 cups a day rule doesn't hold up. If you feel hydrated and your urine is light in color, you're good to go. No need to "force-feed" yourself water.

So, does my daily vodka tonic count as water, as well as its calories????

I would say if it has calories in it than it would be a snack. It is good that you are getting the hydration but I would say if it is 0 calories than count it as water and if not count it as a snack. Just my opinion.

water thanks all the way... crystal light has sugar in it water does not

I'm not a dr, but I did check with mine. I have a hard time drinking plain water. I was told that crystal light is OK to count as water since the MAIN thing is to get fluids into your system. But coffee doesn't count since your body has to do so much to break it down to water.

I have been told by my Herbalife coach also that Crystal Light counts, but also the Herbalife tea counts as water. But she also says that coffee doesn't count.

But besides Crystal Light, have you heard of or seen the Wyler's selection? They have one that is half tea/half lemonade that is DELICIOUS!!! But I like the Arnold Palmer drinks. They have probably about 10 different flavors to choose from.

Also, Ocean Spray has quite a few selections. When you like cranberry added to the flavor, this is an excellent choice. They have maybe 8-10 flavors, but they are hard to find.

Sometimes I like pop, but I don't want all the calories. And Crush has some flavores out that cures my desire for pop. Crush Strawberry, Crush Grape, Crush Orange--and the ALL taste JUST LIKE THE POP! Even the kids drink it. I don't like Squirt as a pop, but they also make a Squirt drink mix that is GREAT! I have to fight to have that one myself. The ONLY place I have found these is Dollar General.

Another good one I have run across is LEMONHEAD!! Yep, just like that candy!! There is grapehead, orangehead and cherryhead. I didn't know about those flavors in the candy, but I like the drinks.

And last, but not least, how about the Hawaiin Punch flavors? I didn't like Hawaiian Punch growing up, but they have green berry rush and berry limeade that is wonderful. I buy only about 5-6 of their flavors.

But I guess I said all that to say this: There are SOOOOOOOO many powder choices available.

If I want it already made, I use Propel Zero. The powder mixes are 10 calories per pack. The Propel Zero has NO calories.

I have tried the Mio, but maybe I just haven't gotten the "drops" down to a science. It is tastes too watery or too strong.

For those that like fizzy drink, or just find plain water boring..we have a soda stream machine which carbonates the water into sparkling water, I find it much easier to drink than plain water. Add some ice and a slice of lemon or lime its lovely.

Makes no difference. If that helps you get your 64 ounces in each day, then go for it!

My rule of thumb is if it is caffeinated don't count it because caffeine is a diuretic that if you don't have other forms of water can cause water retention

This is actually a common myth. According to the Institute of Medicine, "unless additional evidence becomes available indicating cumulative total water deficits in individuals with habitual intakes of significant amounts of caffeine, caffeinated beverages appear to contribute to the daily total water intake similar to that contributed by noncaffeinated beverages." But, as you said, it is important to check for sodium, not so much for in sodas, but in soups and whatnot.

So basically, water is water, whether it's in coffee, soup, or an orange. There's so many ways to get it in that the 8 cups a day rule doesn't hold up. If you feel hydrated and your urine is light in color, you're good to go. No need to "force-feed" yourself water.

you are winning this thread.

my response to the earlier assertion that "anything with caffeine in it doesn't count", is this...

when you drink a glass of water in order to swallow 2 Excedrin (or similar pain reliever), do you not count the water? because 2 Excedrin have lots of caffeine in them (65mg x 2). that's more than a cup of coffee, which averages 115mg.