Water vs. Fluid: What Counts, What Doesn’t

spikedholly
spikedholly Posts: 38
in Food and Nutrition
A sample of notorious questions: "Can I count my coffee as part of my water intake?"

Great article I saw when I did Weight Watchers: :happy:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=66701

Summary:

In regards to beverages as water intake (e.g., tea, coffee, cola drinks, caffeine, alcohol):

Caffeinated drinks: evidence indicates that caffeine-containing beverages are no less hydrating than other fluids and can count toward fluid recommendations.

Alcohol: because alcohol-containing beverages have the potential to adversely impact fluid balance, they should not be included toward meeting fluid recommendations.



Keywords: tea, coffee, cola drinks, caffeine, alcohol, water, intake, pop, soda

Replies

  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    All beverages and foods with water content count towards hydration except hard liquor.

    (some minor exceptions I don't really want to argue about include honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, etc. You shouldn't be consuming enough honey that you need to count it towards your fluids)
  • ef21178
    ef21178 Posts: 25 Member
    I heard about this study on the radio...I was quite relieved lol
  • kcpond
    kcpond Posts: 661 Member
    Even though you could use some liquids to hydrate, I would suggest though that drinking pop and coffee to hydrate would not be the best fluid to drink alot of. I am not an expert by any means, but the side effects of some of the liquids can be detrimental to your goals. The sugars in pop would be a perfect example. Aspertame in diet sodas is not necessarily the best.

    As for the caffeine in coffee and pops, the mayo clinic says you would need to consume about 11 cans of soda to start feeling any negative diuretic effects. But keeping this stuff in moderation is ok.

    Personally, when I log my fluids in MFP I don't log pop, coffee. I just log water and any flavoured water that I drink. Mind you, one of the thinks that I have been able to avoid is drinking soda, so for me that is not an issue.
  • spikedholly
    spikedholly Posts: 38
    Mind you, one of the thinks that I have been able to avoid is drinking soda, so for me that is not an issue.

    I find myself drinking less and less soft drinks as well. My main drinks are coffee in the AM and water the remainder :)

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