If i add something to water does it still count?

I count it as water intake when the base is water. I always add the Crystal Light to go packets to my water and count the calories. I use a whole packet to 5 cups of water though so I only use usually 2 packs a day = 20 cals.. Same when I have hot tea.

Yes it still counts! Drink up!
I use Crystal Light sometimes. Not too often because of the artificial sweeteners.
Lemon, mint, tea, or lime helps me
Also, I bought a 750 ML water bottle and just keep filling it throughout the day. That helps me. Easier than plastic water bottles and better for environment

I read in a magazine somewhere that if you put crystal light in your water you can count half of those ounces towards your water. So if you have 16 oz. of water and add crystal light, you can count 8oz. in your water for the day. I can't remember where I read that and I can't speak to it's validity but there you have it. Personally, I only drink water and lightly or unsweetened tea, sometimes coffee. I think it grows on you-I used to do the crystal light thing but the color dies your tongue and I can't stand the artificial taste anymore. Make sure that for at least every oz. of crystal light water you drink, you have two oz. of pure water and then work down from there so that most of the water you're drinking is pure.

Yes, it all still counts as water!! My favorite is the K20 water mixes for the protein and fiber...and I found one packet tastes great with 32oz vs the 16oz. Just be sure you count the calories on the things you are adding to your water! I think the k20 packets are about 30-35 cals but havn't had them for a LOOONG time because they are more spendy that regular water flavors. Regular water flavors are usually about 10cals per a full packet too.

I count it too. But be aware how much tea you drink. The caffeine is dehydrating.

Just as long as you dont add anything with sugar in it, you should be okay. Try Stevia. It is all natural and adds flavors to your water, I will be the first to tell you that I absolutely hate drinking water but all of my exercise and dieting mean nothing without it. I also put myself on a water plan. I get the bottled spring water (16.9 oz) and drink one bottle each hour or within the hour. For example I start at 10:00 am and make certain that I have completed the bottle before 11:00 am. Of course by then I am full so I cant turn around and drink another bottle at 11:00, but I make certain before 12:00 comes, that I have drank another bottle. That way it only takes me 4 hours to get all of my water in, and I get it out of the way. Once I get used to it where I dont have to run to the bathroom every 5 minutes I increase my intake to 5 bottles, etc. Try it and see how it works. Everyone works different you just have to try some things. Good luck!

I don't see how adding something to flavor your water magically makes it NOT water.
It's still water, just tastes better. The fake sweeteners can make a small difference, but adding lemon or something like that doesn't.
Your body still does the same with it no matter if it's water with CL, water in food, soup, etc.
And exactly WATER is WATER.

I disagree - going to be unpopular. If you add lemon - it still counts - adding crystal light does not count in my book. However, I like the idea of allowing for 1/2 of the water intake - this MIGHT be plausible.

Tea definitely does NOT count as drinking water. It is a diuretic - meaning it makes your body expel more water - therefore, not the same as drinking water.

Sorry - water is water. Period.

But how can adding a bit of flavouring to the water make it 'not count'? You are still drinking a glass of water!

If I drank a glass of water and then ate a piece of fruit, the water would count. So why is it different when that 'fruit' is in the glass in liquid form?

I hope that makes sense

Why worry - drink when you're thirsty that's all! You don't need to keep track of water! Let's put the ridiculous myth that you have to drink 8 cups to rest already

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/12/08/the-myth-behind-drinking-8-glasses-of-water-a-day/

I count it. I hate plain water and discovered water flavoring packets at the grocery store. Now I drink a ton of water. I gave up pop and cut way back on coffee. they have some great flavors and I love em.

Target use to carry this awesome water bottle. My husband broke it so I had to order a new one directly from the manufacturer. It's 24oz (not too big) and has a straw that pops out the top...looks great in black.

http://www.trudeaucorp.com/us/products/hydration/p-cool-down-087221.html

Remember that the 8 glasses a day is just a general guideline anyway. If you drink a lot of caffeine or other diuretics you may need more water to replace what you're losing. If you live in a very dry or hot climate you may need extra water to replace what you sweated away. (You may also need more minerals. Lots of sweating depletes your electrolytes, not just your water.) If you're a tiny person you may need less. If you eat foods with lots of liquid you may need to drink less - soup is water based after all. Fruit has liquid in it too.

Basically, stay hydrated. If you're thirsty, drink something. If you get headaches when you exercise, try hydrating more before hand and during. If you want flavor, go for it.

Why does it always have to be GO BIG OR GO HOME? If you're not drinking 10 glasses of plain water a day, you're not drinking enough. And if you drink ANY flavored water, then you're not really drinking water?? Huh?? Lol. That's craziness! In my opinion, everything in moderation. But water is still water. Even with Crsytal Light packets. I don't want to drink JUST plain water every day. I like flavor. So I use those a couple of times a day. But you also need to drink some plain water too, in order to have a balance.

As far as how much? We consume water when we eat our veggies and fruit. So I think just the regular 8 - 8 oz glasses of water a day should be enough. Unless you get thirsty, or are working out. Then you should drink more water, because your body sweats it out. But I don't believe in drinking half your body weight in water ounces, like other articles have mentioned......unless you want to drown your organs (if that's even possible lol). Especially if you're a big girl like me. I would have to consume 10 BOTTLES of water a day to reach that. No way in hell that's gonna happen, unless I want to spend every 5 minutes in the bathroom. And I work a desk job.

BOTTOM LINE......You know your body better than anyone on this forum. Pay attention to how you feel when you drink certain things, and when you drink certain amounts. Your body will tell you if it's right or wrong. If the flavor packets are making you more thirsty, or making you feel terrible.....then don't drink them. Try something else. What works for everyone else, may not necessarily work for you.