What drinks qualify as water?

edgelljl
edgelljl Posts: 3
in Food and Nutrition
I just started this website less than a week ago and I am trying hard to keep up with the water, but need to know if things like coffee (decaf and straight), teas (herbal and non herbal), or additives like Crystal Lite qualify. Can someone answer for me, please.
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Replies

  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Only fresh mountain runoff
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,222 Member
    Only fresh mountain runoff
    I was going to say Himalayan spring water, only, so, we're on the same page.
  • CharlotteAnneUK
    CharlotteAnneUK Posts: 186 Member
    Only water counts as water, but as long as I have plently of fluids I dont worry about it. All I would say is that you have to ensure you add the calories in Tea, Coffee and any other fluids you drink.
  • deb3129
    deb3129 Posts: 1,294 Member
    water.....
  • cyberiarob
    cyberiarob Posts: 229 Member
    You're going to get a varying answers (and some smart @$$ ones) on this.

    I remember reading a post one time that apparently only pure water counts, because when you mix it with something (like Crystal Light) it changes molecularly. I'm no chemistry expert, but that is completely wrong.

    Look at it this way - what's the difference if I drink a cup of coffee OR I drink a glass of water and eat some coffee beans. Either way they end up in my stomach and get all mixed up.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I count anything without alcohol. And some people have made compelling arguments that alcohol can count.

    The idea is to be hydrated, not just drink plain water. Your body gets hydration from all water sources (including the food you eat). Adding flavor to water does not make the water not hydrating anymore.

    Some people choose to only count pure water, but I guarantee their bodies don't know the difference.
  • jdressel
    jdressel Posts: 70 Member
    Also remember caffeine is a diuretic, and is counterproductive to hydration goals.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I count anything without alcohol. And some people have made compelling arguments that alcohol can count.

    The idea is to be hydrated, not just drink plain water. Your body gets hydration from all water sources (including the food you eat). Adding flavor to water does not make the water not hydrating anymore.

    Some people choose to only count pure water, but I guarantee their bodies don't know the difference.

    I thought rum and vodka count because they are clear?

    OP - you'll need to make your own rules for this and your own reasoning for it. If you have a problem just drinking straight water, drink some tea, flavor to your water, whatever works for you.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Also remember caffeine is a diuretic, and is counterproductive to hydration goals.
    There isn't enough caffeine in anything we drink to counteract the hydration.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Also remember caffeine is a diuretic, and is counterproductive to hydration goals.

    As is water. Should I stop drinking water?
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    Resistivity of 18.2 MΩ·cm or GTFO
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    Oh no, the great water debate continues
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    BINGO!

    *sorry inside joke*

    Water in it's purest form is best IMO. That said, I am chronically dehydrated.

    http://www.care2.com/greenliving/which-drinks-hydrate-which-dont.html has an interesting article... not sure about the scientfic validity behind it, but it lends credence to the statements and belief that only WATER = WATER. :)
    * Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa
    Drinks that have a base of coffee, black tea, or cocoa are quite high in purins, toxins that must be eliminated from the body by urine or sweat in the form of uric acid. Purines need to be diluted in large quantities of liquid to be evacuated without irritation. A good portion of the water consumed with these drinks is used to eliminate the toxins.

    * Milk
    Milk is a food, not a drink, and its digestion by adults is frequently incomplete.

    Whey, on the other hand, is very easily digested, but its diuretic properties are an impediment to its consumption as a daily beverage.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    I don't log my water. Just make sure you stay hydrated and log liquids with calories.
  • Juliejustsaying
    Juliejustsaying Posts: 2,332 Member
    two hydrogens and one oxygen.
  • MizSaz
    MizSaz Posts: 445 Member
    Water. Water is water. Crystal light is Crystal light. Milk is milk. Vodka is vodka. Water is water.
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Also remember caffeine is a diuretic, and is counterproductive to hydration goals.

    ostrich_pillow_kawamura-ganjavian-thumb-525xauto-45541.jpg
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Just keep yourself well hydrated OP...your piss should run clear. If it's yellow, you are not properly hydrated and need more fluids. You do some major dehydrating while you sleep, so it generally runs yellow in the AM.
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    Also remember caffeine is a diuretic, and is counterproductive to hydration goals.
    The myth that won't die, no matter how many times we post the Mayo Clinic links.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661 - Caffeine is only a diuretic in extremely large quantities.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283 - for hydration purposes, all fluids count toward your total.
  • rob1976
    rob1976 Posts: 1,328 Member
    I count anything that isn't alcoholic or soda. For coffee, I drink 16oz in the morning, but I only count 8oz of that towards my water goal.
  • ErzaScarlet
    ErzaScarlet Posts: 64 Member
    Personally I think just water, when i just drink caffeinated drinks i feel light headed and dehydrated.
  • GoMizzou99
    GoMizzou99 Posts: 512 Member
    nearly all non-acoholic beverages

    Case in point...
    Drink 8 oz. of crystal clear, clean, pristine, pure spring water and eat a pack of gummy bears...doesan't this = 1 regular soda? Does the water count then?
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    nearly all non-acoholic beverages

    Case in point...
    Drink 8 oz. of crystal clear, clean, pristine, pure spring water and eat a pack of gummy bears...doesan't this = 1 regular soda? Does the water count then?
    If you drink pure water and then eat Gummy Bears, the water counts.

    If you put the Gummy Bears IN the water and drink it, it doesn't count.

    Logic!
  • DuncanUK64
    DuncanUK64 Posts: 7
    What about carbonated water?
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    What about carbonated water?

    The bubbles cause depression
  • alyssamiller77
    alyssamiller77 Posts: 891 Member
    Just keep yourself well hydrated OP...your piss should run clear. If it's yellow, you are not properly hydrated and need more fluids. You do some major dehydrating while you sleep, so it generally runs yellow in the AM.

    ^ THIS ^

    The whole damn point of this water debate is to make sure you're hydrated. Water is found in all sorts of different fluids and even the foods you eat (whether they have caffeine or not). If you notice your urine is not very light to clear, you need more fluid. Now if you choose to drink something other than straight water, that's fine. You do want to be sure that you're aware of what else comes in the drink and account for it in your diet (for instance soda contains lots of sugar and sodium). At the end of the day as long as you're hydrated and you account for any calories or other nutrients you get from the fluids you drink you'll be fine.
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    I only count what I drink from my dehumidifier since it is distilled. Tap and bottled water has all those nasty ions and minerals so it doesn't count.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    As long as you drink it out of a water bottle, you can count it as water, right?
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    As long as you drink it out of a water bottle, you can count it as water, right?

    No the chemicals leach out from the plastic
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    BINGO!

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