Water vs other beverages

[jcapulet]

I'm just curious...what's the difference between drinking a cup of water and a cup of coffee (minus the caffeine part)? Would drinking a cup of coffee count toward the water goal?

Thanks!
Lisa

[Richt]

Re: Water vs other beverages

The following is taken from the rules of induction - I hope this is what you were after?

10. Avoid coffee, tea and soft drinks that contain caffeine. Excessive caffeine has been shown to cause low blood sugar, which can make you crave sugar.

11. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day to hydrate your body, avoid constipation and flush out the by-products of burning fat.

[Maerow]

Re: Water vs other beverages

Nope the other beverages don't count towards your water ration.

Now, you can have alot of different drinks as treats (assuming they don't stall you!!) but you can't count them as your water.

Stuff I have seen people use with some semblence of safety is diet rite, decaf teas (bagged not instant!!) decaf coffee, and crystal light.

Tea and crystal light do not stall me, but diet coke is of the devil, and coffee too, because I can't drink it black and add too much to it to make it tasty.

Bottom line, it's ok to experement but watch it very carefully, your mileage may very. I would add in one drink type one week, like a few cups a week, and watch and see what happens. If you start feeling cravings, or you don't lose any lbs or inches then imediately stop drinking it.

Hope this helps!

[jcapulet]

Re: Water vs other beverages

The following is taken from the rules of induction - I hope this is what you were after?

Yes, I realize the caffeine is not allowed. But if it's a decaf coffee, is it the same as water, or would just 'digest' differently?

[jcapulet]

Re: Water vs other beverages

Nope the other beverages don't count towards your water ration.

Now, you can have alot of different drinks as treats (assuming they don't stall you!!) but you can't count them as your water.

Stuff I have seen people use with some semblence of safety is diet rite, decaf teas (bagged not instant!!) decaf coffee, and crystal light.

Tea and crystal light do not stall me, but diet coke is of the devil, and coffee too, because I can't drink it black and add too much to it to make it tasty.

Bottom line, it's ok to experement but watch it very carefully, your mileage may very. I would add in one drink type one week, like a few cups a week, and watch and see what happens. If you start feeling cravings, or you don't lose any lbs or inches then imediately stop drinking it.

Hope this helps!

Ok thanks...but darn it! I wish decaf coffee did count though

[Maerow]

Re: Water vs other beverages

It has stuff added to it, and some of it has sodium, that cancels out some of the water. Basically folks here seem to feel that its better safe then sorry. If you include the drink as your water ration, then you run the chance of not getting enough water, which will effect your weightloss.

If you don't include it, at the worst you are maybe getting a little bit of extra water (assuming you aren't sensitive to the drink and it stalls you) which can only help, really.

[dotsamantha]

Re: Water vs other beverages

Coffee, like other caffeinated beverages, are diuretics, and cause or increase urine production or urine flow out of the body. Ketosis also has a diuretic effect on our bodies. Theoretically, too much urine production can result in low sodium and potassium levels, or hyponatremia and hypokalemia, respectively. Of course there's also caffeine's effect on blood sugar.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Water vs other beverages

in addition to what Samantha said...

because of the diuretic properties, for every cup you drink, you'd have to drink MORE plain water to rehydrate your body!!! That's scary!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Water vs other beverages

Here is some info I got from Duke University

"What about tea, coffee and soda?

These drinks usually have caffeine in them, which causes a stimulant

effect on the central nervous system and may increase frequency of

urination. Although this effect has not been found to be significant, the

main objective of drinking fluids is to hydrate, not promote fluid losses.

What about decaffeinated drinks?

Although decaffeinated beverages contain very little caffeine, and

can count toward fluid intake, many contain artificial additives and

are not as healthy as those recommended above. Therefore, if you

are drinking decaffeinated drinks, drink them in addition to the other

hydrating fluids, not in place of them."

http://healthydevil.studentaffairs.d...20hydration%22

[angelstar]

Re: Water vs other beverages

Some good info there.

Personally I would cut out everything and just drink water...water....and more water. At least 2 litres a day. It might be hard to cut out soda and coffee but give it a few weeks and you wont be craving for them anymore and you'll be giving ur body what it needs....lots of great, toxin flushing water!

[pstansel]

Re: Water vs other beverages

As a note though, the water loss effect from a cup of coffee is often less than the water content of the cup of coffee itself. THe main effect in my mind is possible effect on your blood sugar. Anyway, I realize I'm not as millitant about pure water as some but the reality is I drink 150+ ounces of pure water regardless every day, so it's a moot point

[ValidRouge]

Re: Water vs other beverages

psanstel, I have no problem with folks drinking coffee, tea, sodas in addition to their water. You're doing a great job with your water it sounds like!! Way to go.

The OP (original poster) was asking if they could replace some of their water requirement with decaf coffee. Most any source will tell you that we shouldn't replace water with somet other beverage. I've done weight watchers years and years ago, they said the same thing. Duke University says the same thing. Dr. Atkins says the same thing. At any rate, it's a recurrent theme LOL

I, myself, was drinking caffeinated products since I quit smoking and the insulin response was making me nuts. I have had some decaf coffee...in addition to my daily water requirement and so far, so good.

I just worry about people replacing water with other beverages and then they come back and say Atkins doesn't work, or causes problems.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Water vs other beverages

oh and if you want a little more info about those chemicals in coffee they got one in there that actually increases cholesterol boith regual and decafe have it!

[pstansel]

Re: Water vs other beverages

Yeah, I'd agree... you can't use it to replace your 64oz minimum (which is REALLY tiny anyway). I just am not freaked out by the very mild effect it has on my water levels. The fact is the other stuff in it has much more impact