Water vs. Other Drinks

I quit all soda, mostly because I found that when I cut out all the sweet drinks, it was easier to resist sweet foods. I started with just drinking crystal light and flavored waters. What really helped me the most in getting my water in, I bought an awesome water bottle that I carry everywhere. It is by camalbak and does not leak a bit so I can even toss it in my purse. Seeing how much water I was drinking helped, but I also found that if I had that bottle I was much less likely to be tempted to stop for a fountain soda, or choose a soda from the vending machine when at school/work. Of course I also really enjoy food, so I would much rather eat my calories than drink them!

Soda's have a ton of sodium. The added sugars whether artifical or regular tend to make me want more. Maybe that is all in my head but that is what it seems. So I tend to stay away from sodas for the most part. Water, like everyone says helps cleanse your body of toxins. It also fills you up so you don't eat as much. and nothing quenches your thirst like a glass of Ice cold water.

Even though diet soda doesn't have any calories, and is not terribly high in sodium, there are two good reasons for not counting it as "water".

Reason 1 has already been mentioned - caffeine is a diuretic. That means that its job is to RID your body of water. Kind of the opposite of why you drink water. There's a bit more info in this article about that: http://www.livestrong.com/article/520735-adverse-health-effects-of-carbonated-soda/

Reason 2 is that most carbonated sodas contain phosphoric acid, which has been linked to all kinds of health problems (tooth decay, bone deterioration, and kidney disease). Here's an article about that: http://www.livestrong.com/article/546049-what-are-the-dangers-of-acids-in-carbonated-drinks/

And, as a bonus reason to quit drinking quite so much of it: there are a number of studies linking the consumption of diet soda (yes, DIET) to weight gain. The researchers don't know precisely what the connection is, so I'm not linking to any articles on this.

In any case, I think it's great that you are building awareness of what you're drinking, and looking for ways to get more water in. Perhaps you could try replacing one soda each day with a glass of water? Even flavored water (MiO, Crystal Light, etc.) is better than soda, and would actually count as "water".

I never drank much water, either, until I bought a 24oz cup with a lid and straw at Walmart for less than $5. I've been getting in more than 8 cups daily. Amazing what a "special water cup" can do for consumption!!

Good luck to you in your journey!!

You're right, you are staying hydrated with these drinks. For hydration, it's absolutely fine to drink pop.

This is not true. If you are drinking pop/soda, and it contains caffeine - nevermind the fact it has artificial sweeteners - you are taking one step forward and two steps back. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages increase the chance of dehydration, as they have diuretic effects on the body.

Also, people keep saying that diet drinks dehydrate. Yes, there is caffiene, but the amount of water you ingest by simply consuming them negates any diuretic effects.

I understand that it's 'cool' to jump on the 'ONLY WATER' bandwagon, but we need to take care to not spread myth/misinformation in the process

I'm not advocating for only water. I love my morning coffee, and a Coke Zero with pizza is the only way to go for me. BUT, the OP stated that they're drinking a LOT of diet soda, and that level of consumption DOES have diuretic effects.

Here's a very brief article, that supports the coffee/soda/tea as water argument, but it ALSO says that if you're drinking the equivalent of 5-7 cups of coffee a day (which I assume the OP is), you are drinking enough to experience diuretic (dehydrating) effects. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661

Also, people keep saying that diet drinks dehydrate. Yes, there is caffiene, but the amount of water you ingest by simply consuming them negates any diuretic effects.

I understand that it's 'cool' to jump on the 'ONLY WATER' bandwagon, but we need to take care to not spread myth/misinformation in the process

I'm not advocating for only water. I love my morning coffee, and a Coke Zero with pizza is the only way to go for me. BUT, the OP stated that they're drinking a LOT of diet soda, and that level of consumption DOES have diuretic effects.

Here's a very brief article, that supports the coffee/soda/tea as water argument, but it ALSO says that if you're drinking the equivalent of 5-7 cups of coffee a day (which I assume the OP is), you are drinking enough to experience diuretic (dehydrating) effects. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661

Why are you assuming that? OP didn't mention drinking any coffee at all.

Drinking anything but water shouldn't count towards the water you've consumed. If that were true, then eating an orange or watermelon should count towards drinking water too!

Think about it: aside from a negligible amount of minerals, what is in water? Nothing! What is in tea, pop, coffee, etc etc etc? A lot of stuff! The biggest thing here is caffeine or sodium! Your body needs to use water to filter those out, so the water you take in while drinking these things will be used to filter the stuff out. If you drink water without anything in it, then it doesn't need to be used to filter anything out (from when you were drinking it) so it can do it's job.

Unless it's only water, it isn't water!

If anyone wants to argue this fact, read this article first!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Fruit-Juice,-Sweetened-Water,-Tea-and-Coffee-Do-Not-Count-As-Water---And-Will-Make-You-Fat!&id=1049956

It has been found per Dr. Oz that diet or sugar free anything with artificial sweetners make you crave more and more sweets as these sweetners are sweeter than real sugar making you crave more. There is alot about this on the internet. If you need the fiz I believe he said seltzer water. You can go on his site to learn more.
I hatted water also and dont like soda anymore so I decided to try lemon. Worked for me. I wasnt going to go out buying fake stuff to add to my pure water, just didnt make sense. Thats just me. I only drink water w/lemon when I go out as well. My body doesnt crave anything else to drink because its just used to it now. Ive even lowere my coffee to every other day and only 4oz at that. Keeps the headaches at bay and still enjoy a warm drink that sometimes just hits the spot.

I didn't read the thread so this may have been mentioned, but caffeine is a diuretic which will actually lead to dehydration.

All I drink is water.....gave up drinking pop after I saw how many empty calories I was drinking....rather eat my calories than drink them....