Does that water really count?

nikki_marie05
nikki_marie05 Posts: 88 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Does drinking water really count as water intake if there are flavorings such as the Crystal Light or Mio added to the water?

I only wonder because when you drink unsweetened tea, it isn't counted as water, it's counted as tea.

What are your opinions on this?

Replies

  • i would think it depends on the sodium content of the additive? maybe? i dont really know but thats my best guess
  • Ohjeezitskim
    Ohjeezitskim Posts: 129 Member
    I would like to know as well. Drinking water is hard for me...I need flavor!
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    This question is purely subjective. You will find good arguments on both sides, but at the end of the day you choose what's in your cup and whether to click on MFP's water tracker while you drink it.
  • katiejarr
    katiejarr Posts: 251 Member
    I count unsweetend tea as water and water with crystal light as water...but not diet soda...I don't drink yet soda anyway, but yes tea and Crystal light I count! I used to do Weight Watchers and they count it all as water as long as it hydrates! :)
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    You can count your tea and coffee in your water intake. It is a misconception that the caffeine dehydrates you and that because it has a diuretic effect you shouldn't count it. Recent research shows that this is not true and that caffeine has a diuretic effect only if you consume large amounts of it — more than 500 to 600 milligrams (the equivalent of 5 to 7 cups of coffee) a day.

    Water still is the way to go though since it's cheap (even free!) and calorie free. If you don't like the taste of it why not try seltzer water or fill up a pitcher with water and add lemons, limes or even oranges to flavor it.
  • nikki_marie05
    nikki_marie05 Posts: 88 Member
    I would like to know as well. Drinking water is hard for me...I need flavor!

    Agreed!
  • You can count your tea and coffee in your water intake. It is a misconception that the caffeine dehydrates you and that because it has a diuretic effect you shouldn't count it. Recent research shows that this is not true and that caffeine has a diuretic effect only if you consume large amounts of it — more than 500 to 600 milligrams (the equivalent of 5 to 7 cups of coffee) a day.

    Water still is the way to go though since it's cheap (even free!) and calorie free. If you don't like the taste of it why not try seltzer water or fill up a pitcher with water and add lemons, limes or even oranges to flavor it.

    agree with this
  • nikki_marie05
    nikki_marie05 Posts: 88 Member
    Thanks everyone!
  • Eaglesfanintn
    Eaglesfanintn Posts: 813 Member
    For myself, I use the "did I make it?" test. If it's water and I add something to it - a tea bag or a packet of Crystal Light - it's water. If it came pre-made with other stuff - like a diet soda - I don't count that. I love drinking water so I don't usually add stuff to it, but when I do, I still count it.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Does drinking water really count as water intake if there are flavorings such as the Crystal Light or Mio added to the water?

    I only wonder because when you drink unsweetened tea, it isn't counted as water, it's counted as tea.

    What are your opinions on this?
    Everything "counts" as water. Even tea, and coffee, and soda, juice, milk, believe it or not, even beer. They are all 90-99% water. They all count.
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