Water vs Crystal Light

[KathyFP]

Does it really make a difference. I just do not like the taste of water (most of the time). I can drink crystal light ice tea forever.

I have a water cooler in my office and fill up a two liter bottle for my tea. I drink at least a whole bottle a day.

Does this count for drink water????

 

[wovenwonder]

Its better to drink lots of Crystal Light than to have no hydration at all. But, the water is meant to 'cleanse' out your system as it hydrates you. Would you feel comfortable 'cleansing' the outside of your body with Crystal Light?

 

[disneychrista]

Crystal Light and any other non-caffinated beverages can count toward your daily "fluid" intake since they are mostly water.

 

[becka]

I guess it depends on what program you are using. I used to drink almost a pitcher of CL Lemonade a day and I was counting it all as 0 pts (weight watchers). Well one serving is 0 points but if I drank the whole thing I think it ended up being around 3 pts. that I needed to count.

 

[tiggerlover]

I agree with Becka, it depends on the program you are following. I think on WW you can only use Crystal Lite towards 1/2 of your water totals for the day, the other half needs to be water.

 

[Rhonda]

As far as I remember (I'll have to look the the book again) Dr. Atkins says only pure water can count towards your water count. I've heard that herbal teas count too, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[KathyFP]

Actually, I have a different plan to follow (because of surgery). It is not Aikens or WW.

What would the difference be as it relates to weight loss?

Does drinking crystal light instead of water inhibit weight loss?

Does it effect your metabolisim?

My Dr. does care what I drink as long as it is calorie free. I am only allowed to have two caloric intakes a day. No restriction on calories.

 

[disneychrista]

If your Dr. thinks it is okay and it is within your plan that I would say it should not make a difference.

I do believe that like woverwonder said water and only pure water for cleaning out your system. But for simply hydration and fluid intake crystal light and herbal tea will work just as well. Experiment with water, maybe you will like it better if it is very cold or maybe you need it room temp. I know I can not drink ice cold water, it makes me nausious and my body will try to get rid of it. But room temp water is okay. You have to find what works for you the best.

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by wovenwonder
Its better to drink lots of Crystal Light than to have no hydration at all. But, the water is meant to 'cleanse' out your system as it hydrates you. Would you feel comfortable 'cleansing' the outside of your body with Crystal Light?

Actually, Crystal Light is a mild astringent -- it is probably better for cleaning your hair than plain water.

As you said, if it helps you get well-hydrated, it's better than the alternative. I personally don't drink plain water, and things like Crystal Light and diet decaf soda are what keeps me healthy.

 

[KathyFP]

I have decieded to dilute the crystal light. I am going to use a half a package of crystal light for two liters of water.

I guess that a lot of crystal light is better than I little plain water.

Yesterday, I drank 5 liters of crystal light.

 

[FergieTCat]

Becka --

How much Crystal Light are you drinking??? I read the container today and it says every 8 ounce glass has 5 points. You'd have to drink 240 ounces (almost 2 gallons) a day for it to add up to 150 calories -- roughly 3 points.

Are you sure you are doing your math correctly?

 

[becka]

Originally posted by FergieTCat
Becka --

How much Crystal Light are you drinking??? I read the container today and it says every 8 ounce glass has 5 points. You'd have to drink 240 ounces (almost 2 gallons) a day for it to add up to 150 calories -- roughly 3 points.

Are you sure you are doing your math correctly?

It may have only been 1-2 points. I was drinking the CL when I was on WW back in the summer of 2001 and I just remember knowing that if I drank quite a bit I did have to count something but now that I think about it it could not have been 3 points and was probably more like 1 point for the entire pitcher.

Kathy - if that tea is not the decaf then I would certainly switch over because caffiene is actually a diuretic (spelling?).

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by FergieTCat
How much Crystal Light are you drinking??? I read the container today and it says every 8 ounce glass has 5 points.

No. Every 8 ounce glass has 5 calories, not 5 points. I believe that it would take ten glasses to equal one point. (I think that's what you meant to say, no?)

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by becka
if that tea is not the decaf then I would certainly switch over because caffiene is actually a diuretic

I also need to stay away from caffeine to some extent. While caffeine is a diuretic, it is important to note that the amount of caffeine in most beverages doesn't spawn the evacuation of more than a small percentage (I've read between 15% and 30%, but those are just guesses -- the number is likely to be lower) of the water in the beverage.

 

[FergieTCat]

Ooops ... that is what I meant. 5 CALORIES per glass!

 

[nativetxn]

KathyFP--I prefer to drink water because drinking anything with artifical sweeteners for me is like issuing an engraved invitation to the bloat fairy to visit me

Jody, you made me LOL

Would you feel comfortable 'cleansing' the outside of your body with Crystal Light?

I never thought of it that way. You have a talent for cutting right to the heart of the matter. That's one of the things I love about you