Water Question?

[motherof3]

Why is so important to drink so much water? It is very hard for me to drink so much water in the winter. Is decaf tea acceptable? I don't have sugar in it or any of that sort I like plain ice tea. I do have the book just not understanding, it doesn't say it unless I'm not seeing it. Help!

[imagood1]

Re: Water Question?

Here are a few references to water in the book:

Pg 68
"Drinking the recommended eight glasses or more of water daily is also essential to avoid constipation."

Pg 109
"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."

Pg 199
"9. You must drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water daily. This can be filtered, mineral or spring water (not seltzer). You may also have unlimited amounts of herbal tea (without sugar), but these do not count toward your total of eight glasses.

Pg 216
"....Staying hydrated will help you feel satisfyingly full. Stay away, however, from caffeine and diet sodas full of aspartame -- both increase carbohydrate cravings."


The only thing that counts is pure water....nothing added. If you have trouble drinking cold water try drinking water from the tap. Once you drink water for a few days your body will expect it and when you don't drink enough you'll feel it.

Find a glass that is larger than 8 ounces - find one that's 24 or 36 ounces - try using a straw. Get up in the morning and fill your glass first thing. I normally have 1 cup of black decaf coffee first thing in the morning then start drinking water. The time of year doesn't seem to be so much the problem if you ask if you can have "plain ice tea"..... you can have a glass of ice tea or decaf tea...just make sure you've got your pure water in for the day also.

Our bodies are made up primarily from water, drinking water will flush the impurities and fat from your system, keep you hydrated so you can loose weight and will help keep you feeling full longer. It also helps to keep your bowels and internal organs working properly.

Hope this helps. Good luck -- drink up!

[Suzanne_H]

Re: Water Question?

I think it comes down to finding what works for you. Personally I find that I lose weight better when drinking my 8 glasses of good old h2o. Coffee, tea, sodas and what have you are fluids certainly but they don't have the cleansing and hydrating effect as water.

[motherof3]

Re: Water Question?

Thank you so much for all the info, "imagood1" I just wasn't looking right. Now I'm compelled to reading the full book. That's what I get for just skimming. So I will get to reading and will let you know later on hoe my water intake is going. Thanks again!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Water Question?

And at the end of Chapter 12, Dr. Atkins is quite clear that nothing but water counts as water!

[Georgiana]

Re: Water Question?

You may also have unlimited amounts of herbal tea

Umm... I feel weird doing this... but that's not quite right, especially for Induction (I'm at the uni and don't have the book with me, but I think the quote is from Chapter 1.

According to the USDA database, 1 cup (8 oz) of unsweetened herbal tea has 0.47 net carbs. So if one drinks 10 cups of tea during Induction (and yes, I know people drinking 10 cups of tea per day), for 4.7 net carbs, one might be consuming too many carbs from tea.

[imagood1]

Re: Water Question?

Umm... I feel weird doing this... but that's not quite right, especially for Induction (I'm at the uni and don't have the book with me, but I think the quote is from Chapter 1.

According to the USDA database, 1 cup (8 oz) of unsweetened herbal tea has 0.47 net carbs. So if one drinks 10 cups of tea during Induction (and yes, I know people drinking 10 cups of tea per day), for 4.7 net carbs, one might be consuming too many carbs from tea.

I was just quoting the book Georgiana...I've changed my copy so it is correct.

[Georgiana]

Re: Water Question?

I was just quoting the book Georgiana

Yeah, I know... I was arguing with Dr. Atkins.

[meow]

Re: Water Question?

"Herbal tea" can be anything. I think it depends on what herbs it's made of.

I drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning with cream and Splenda. Then it's water water everywhere. When I get home from school, I have either a Coke Zero or some hot tea.

I find it more enjoyable to drink water with meals, too, and save the flavored stuff for another time.

[Elizellen]

Re: Water Question?

Sometimes in the winter I drink hot water!

[Barb1965]

Re: Water Question?

If the book repeatedly says eight 8 oz glasses of water, which is 64 ounces minimum per day, where did the half your body weight that I often hear come from? I realize that from 64 you can go up, but I've often heard it stated or implied that half your body weight in ounces should be the minimum. Just curious. And thanks in advance!!!!!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Water Question?

If the book repeatedly says eight 8 oz glasses of water, which is 64 ounces minimum per day, where did the half your body weight that I often hear come from? I realize that from 64 you can go up, but I've often heard it stated or implied that half your body weight in ounces should be the minimum. Just curious. And thanks in advance!!!!!

DANDR says 64 ounces is a MINIMUM ...

The 1/2 your body weight is one of those things that turns up on message boards ... people try it ... and it works.

It's a "rule of thumb".

There's a great book by Laura Richard called "The Secret to Low Carb Success" ... and she documents many of these pieces of information.