Can I just say my fingers were crossed hoping the Facebook voters were NOT going to pick the last prompt…I was not in the mood to get all sentimental. This week’s prompt is:
1.) Share a disagreement you’re having with someone and let your readers be the judge!
The argument is simple really…and I’ll try to present the facts in an objective format so that you can solve the problem without feeling swayed. Here it is:
My husband and I have been arguing about how much water we actually need for years now. Resources tell us healthy human beings should drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
One of us does, the other does not.
The person who DOES drink water thinks the person who does not drink water needs to seriously increase their intake.
The person who does not drink a lot of water believes they get actually get plenty of water because they drink juice/coffee etc and those things have water IN them. Therefore they meet the requirement without even trying.
The person who DOES drink water thinks the person who DOESN’T drink water needs a lesson in nutrition.
The person who does NOT drink water thinks the person who DOES drink water needs to mind their own business.
You be the judge!
Does water in coffee, juice, baked goods, boiled hot dogs, etc…COUNT towards the six to eight cups we’re supposed to be drinking? Or do we need to drink 6-8 cups of water in addition to (or in place of) other fluids and foods?
Also, who do you think is the water drinker and who do you think is the juice/coffee drinker?
I personally can’t wait for this to be resolved once and for all.
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1.) Share a disagreement you’re having with someone and let your readers be the judge!
2.) Tell us about your song.
3.) Share a Halloween craft.
4.) Slow dancing with boys…talk about one of your first school dance experiences.
5.) I have no idea where the following message originated from, but it’s been floating around Facebook for the past week…who does it make you think about?:
{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }
1. The water in coffee/juice/etc. does NOT make up for the water you should be drinking. You get SOME, but many of the sugars/caffine/etc. IN them can contribute to dehydration themselves. So, it’s counter productive.
2. I don’t believe in the “drink 6-8 glasses (read: level cups) of water per day” rule because of the simple fact that depending on the person, weight, size, other contributing factors, too much water can lower body temperatures, deplete electrolytes, and cause other damage. Personally, I get physically sick and start to vomit if I drink much more than 5 glasses (cups) a day, unless I’m doing something very strenuous like working out or hiking or whathaveyou.
3. The important thing is that you are hydrated. The only REAL way to tell is to see if your urine is light yellow to clear. If it’s not, you need to drink more water. If it is, good on you, you’re fine.
Enough with the technical answers, I think the person who says the other should mind their own business is correct. =0)
Hmmm. They say any fluid counts. I would love to say yes, it is important to drink that much water a day. But I don’t. And I love drinking water. But 8 glasses, I mean that is a lot. There is blogging and tweeting to do. And in difference with Pumpkin spice latte, water has no nutritional value…
I’ve heard that those things do count, but I don’t know. As long as you are hydrated I think it’s okay. I’m going to guess that you are the water drinker??
HELL NO!! You gotta drink water!!!
Here’s my motto: Drink coffee, then water all day, then lots of wine at night.
#YourWelcome
I’ll go with that!!!
“Like”
I like your motto :)
That’s exactly what I do!
Hm, wine counts as water right?! I honestly don’t know! I’m guessing you’re the water drinker. Can’t wait to hear the outcome. Drum roll, please!!
Water, water, water! Hate it, but I drink it, the body needs it.
at one time my opinion was “I get enough water in beer” =)
But that was a LONG time ago
And I’m guessing you are the water drinker!
All I know about water is that I know I don’t drink enough. Sorry, not very helpful, huh?
OK technically no the NON drinker is not getting enough water through the juice, which I say is YOU ahem.. That being said truth is nutritionally speaking you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water a day. Many people do not get that much or even close. But the difference you will feel when you do will be enlightening. Water is a natural cleanser, blood thinner and stool mover and softener. Many of the bodies ailments can be directly related to water intake.
No, I don’t think water in juice or coffee counts. You do need an additional 6-8 cups. Now if only I would listen to this rule.
Also, I think you’re the juice/coffee drinker.
My water tastes like it comes out of a rubber hose, and when I boil some in a pan, the bottom of the pan has mineral deposits. Yuck.
I think you gave yourself away when you wrote ‘boiled hotdogs’ – only moms eat those when you’re preparing them for kids’ lunches.
Let the other person drink what they want – if they feel like they need water, they can drink it.
My doctor said my 8 glasses should include water, and I could substitute juice and any clear liquids or sodas for half of it. No Coffee, alchohol and caffinated drinks, You are the non-water drinker?
You are the coffee drinker and hot dog eater. Hubs is the water drinker. I’m not a firm believer in the 6-8 cups a day rule but I do believe in making the effort. The problem is having to pee every ten minutes at certain times during the month. During these times dehydration seems to be the lessor of two evils… But maybe that’s just me and my tiny bladder?
Gotta drink water! But then, I love water! I do think that juice counts, but coffee and caffeine are counter productive as they eventually dehydrate you, but as long as you physically feel fine and haven´t had any problems with dehydration, kidney stones, constipation, etc, I would agree with the “mind your own business” opinion. I usually go by my pee or the drained feeling of needing water. Each person is different!
It all counts – no need to drink boring old water at all.
That study that often gets quoted about 8 glasses etc a day is actually not quoted correctly most of the time. I think it said something along the lines that you need a certain amount of water, most of which you get from food.
How about you set your own limit and agree to disagree?
Juice/coffee is not a replacement for water. My guess is that you are the coffee drinker and need to drink more water.
The most important thing is hydration. Though you may not need 6-8 cups of water, you do need to drink it. The “residual” water in the other things is not good enough. People who drink lots of water are healthier and often have better skin as the water helps to flush out toxins in the system.
I think a few people may have said it but… yea, you have to drink water. Those other things don’t count. Sorry.
I’m having a hard time with who it is… lets go with you being the coffee/juice drinker!
I hate drinking water, unless it tastes like something, so I’m of the school that coffee and soda have water in it and TOTALLY count!
I think drinking some things makes you more thirsty. I drink just water most of the day.
Water has to be drunk straight up. The person who thinks they are getting enough from juice or hot dog water is totally wrong. : )
Pretty sure I recently read somewhere that while yeah, it is important to drink water, other fluids do count and that whole 8 to 10 eight ounce glasses a day is not as necessary as we have been made to believe.
Wish I could remember where I read that…
My husband’s mother insists that she drinks enough water. She even carries a water “jug” around with her in case she gets thirsty. However, she only takes sips from the small bottle, and it’s never refilled. She drinks coffee, sprite, etc.
She goes into the hospital at least twice a year for dehydration, and is usually there for at least three days. Once I pointed that out to my husband, he started drinking a LOT more water. He hates hospital food!
I think you’re the non-water drinker, and evidently we don’t REALLY need to drink all that WATER everyday. I can’t remember the last time I drank a glass of water.
I’m just gonna say what your husband has failed to realize he should be saying: you’re right, Kathy.
I do believe you need to drink more actual water. ;)
Kat, you are obviously right…you always are! : )
I’m agreeing with what a lot of others have said—yes, you get water from a lot of food and clear liquid, but you also have to drink it separately. The amount of water you need to take in varies from person to person. It also depends on your level of physical activity. If you’re sweating a lot, you need to compensate for all the water that’s not getting filtered all the way through your body. The easiest way to see if you’re getting enough is to look at your pee. My urologist has told me my pee needs to be tap-water clear because I’m a kidney-stone machine. No matter who you are, if your pee is dark and has a strong odor, you need to drink more.
I’ll go ahead and say that you’re the non-water drinker. I’m eager to hear the outcome of this!
I’m guessing you are the coffee drinker?
I’m hoping each day to get 3 glasses of water in, in addition to LOTS of coffee and perhaps a bit of wine :)
I’m a teacher and leaving the classroom isn’t an option so you tend to ration.
Yes, the water you get from other sources DOES count towards your water intake but, like another poster mentioned, things like caffeine & alcohol can contribute to dehydration.
The water drinker should mind his own business…
Aside from coffee and soda; juices, seltzer, etc. do make up the six to eight glasses of fluid required to maintain proper hydration. And I think it is your husband who is the water drinker!
The water in food, coffee, etc. can’t possibly make up for the 6-8 glasses a day. It gives you SOME water intake, but not enough.
You drink your water, don’t you? ;)
I think you are supposed to drink when you’re thirsty and that’s about it.
Water must be consumed! At least half of it needs to come in pure water form. The other half can come in juices or caffeine free drinks like green tea or Crystal Light or something.
Since Pat is from Hawaii he is the water drinker. And since you are the mother you need your coffee or wine or beer or whatever will get you through your day.
Yes, we all need 8 glasses of water a day but we also need 5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day. There is only so much time in a day.
I bet that you are the “coffee has water so I’m getting plenty” type
I am too :)
Without reading everyone else’s comments, I agree with Brae. The first statement is true and correct. Ask a doctor if you don’t believe it. It’s a misconception that you would get enough water out of other drinks that have water in them, such as tea, juice or coffee. If you don’t drink enough plain H2O it will have damaging effects on your body. Your muscles begin to tighten and cramp regularly( the term charlie horse comes to mind) and bowel movements become a chore because you don’t have enough water to flush your system.
Now without being all technical and clinical, I don’t agree with the 6-8 8 ounce glasses a day, but water is better for you. Our bodies are made of mostly water so we need it. From a “green” perspective, pushing water consumption is damaging to the planet- plastic water bottles in landfills and we are running out of water.
Maybe it’s to our demise.
I can’t decide for you who I think is right. You should just agree to disagree. :)
It does count towards total intake, as does water from fruits and veggies.
If your house is anything like my house, you are the nonwater drinker (as am I). I don’t think there’s enough water IN the other things but I don’t believe we have to stand by a solid 6-8 a day either (I currently drink NO straight water (well, very rarely; I have to force myself. And even when I do, it’s w/Crystal Light or lemon juice, never just straight b/c ew, um, flavor, please)). @Janelle — there’s water in fruit LOL
As for the disagreement itself, I got nothin’. You’ll never change his mind that you are unfit or get him to “mind his business”. Appease him. Everytime you drink during the day, drink a glass of water first. Just follow it with the other drink of your choice (although eventually the water will be enough). Hmmm it sounds like I almost agree with him. Wait…
heh, um, well, i know i’ve heard that water can be counted from coffee, tea, what have you… but the likes of boiled hot dogs? hahaha i think that’s a bit of a stretch. i’m a big believer and drinker of plain old water. it does a body (and skin- believe me, my skin looks great and i’m old as dirt!) good.
I’m a big proponent of water drinking … WATER drinking, not drinking things that are wet. :) I feel so much better when I’m good about staying hydrated!
Whatever side youre on, I am on.
Werd.
I have read some things about how people don’t need to be as concerned about this since we really do get water from so many sources – even coffee.
Are you the water drinker? The only reason why I think so is you mentioned that the non-water drinker claims to get water from boiled hot dogs and that sounds like a husband thing…
I don’t drink water. I’ve actually conditioned my body to reject it in it’s pure form.
I’m doing just fine by the way so I say pure water is overrated.
The latest information is that we do not need 8 glasses of water and yes you can count other fluids..however I feel better having at least 4 glasses pure water a day…as pure as it can ne anyway. Hmm you Mama are the water drinker.
I do think you need actual 6-8 glasses of water, even though I am often guilty of drinking more coffee than anything else. I believe that you, Kat, are the water drinker BUT if that’s the case, I also think it’s up to each person to do as they wish. Good luck with this argument!
This article will be really helpful in solving your dilemma!
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=eight-glasses-water-per-day
Oh wow…one of you is waaay wrong. LOL
Anyways, 6 of the 8 glasses of water a day can be something like caffeine free hot tea/iced tea, decaf black coffee, crystal light and/or diet pop. Your tea and coffee can have fake sugars in them too and they still count. The key is these drinks need to be decaf. Caffeine dehydrates your body…so for 8oz caffeinated beverage you drink you’re supposed to drink TWO 8oz glasses of water. Also the last 2 glasses of your 8oz glasses of water per day have to be water. This is what Weight Watchees and other programs teach. However, I’m a big believer in you should just drink 8 glasses of WATER. LOL
Hope this helps!
P.S. I think you’re the water drinker.
Ok I guess the non h2o drinker is you. I remember a post about coffee somewhere??? Just saying I must go with need to drink h2o over want. Dr. Oz says h2o so it must be right?
I’m a HORRIBLE water drinker … hate to do it. I know I should but I don’t wanna! (crossing my arms across my chest and stomping feet)
I think you should each drink the amount of water you want to … when the other person feels like crap for not drinking enough of water perhaps that person will change ways? I do :)
I think water is water and nothing else counts as water, but I also believe that the required amount varies by person and maybe the non-water drinker doesn’t need an entire eight glasses.
I think you are the non-water drinker.
I am a Diet Coke drinker, but that really has nothing to do with this disagreement.
Water in juice, coffee etc. does not count. Only water in fresh fruits and vegetables counts a little. I think your husband is the water-drinker :)
if i were a betting girl (which i’m not)….i’d say you are the hot dog/coffee/juice person :) and also, SOMEONE needs to mind their own bidnez!! lol that being said, half of your daily consumption (look at me with my big girl words) of water should come from pure water. the other half can come from whatever form you prefer, be it water, coffee, juice, soda, alcoholic beverages, whathaveyou…
I think your husband’s the water drinker and you are not. I also don’t remotely get enough water, but I’m pretty sure water in hot dogs doesn’t count =)
They have actually changed the requirement to acknowledge that you get hydrated by the water in the things you eat or drink as well as just straight water. But you should probably still drink water. I think you’re the non water drinker. Because there’s water in wine too right?
I have this argument with myself every day as I pour my second big cup of coffee in the afternoon and realize that I haven’t had a lick of water. Except the water in the coffee. Unfortunately, I don’t think that counts. But I think deep down you know that. ;) I love this disagreement.
I believe the “water” requirement so talked about has widely been changed to a “fluid” requirement. Water is best, uncaffinated better, other ok.
Since I am in the non-water drinking category, I’ll say that the water drinker needs to mind their own business. That being said, I think only the first cup of coffee/tea (even Iced Tea) should be counted towards the whole water total. Soda shouldn’t be counted at all.
So, drink more water but its okay to have some juice, hot dogs, and coffee too. ;)
And I totally think you are the coffee drinker.
unless the person who doesn’t supposedly drink enough water doesn’t feel that great or their skin is dry and such, the person who does drink the recommended amount of water should mind their own business
:)
As long as your pee is clear,
you don’t need more water my dear. :)
Judging from the numerous pics with the wine glass, I think you don’t drink enough water. I feel like Maya Angelou and Sherlock Holmes warpped into one :)
I think the basic concept is 6-8 glassess of water a day.
The others aren’t as good as the real thing… or as healthy.
mmm… but the taste better.
I never drink enough water…and I don’t think you do either! Am I right?
I have to side with those advocating a urine check. You’re getting enough fluids (water or otherwise) if your urine isn’t dark. Gross, but true.
Life is too short to exchange coffee, or wine, for water!
I don’t think the other stuff counts. I try to drink a lot of water and can tell the difference when I don’t get enough. I’m guessing you’re the water drinker :)
hmmm, my husband and I have had this same conversation. I typically say something about how I need to drink more water. Without fail, he reassures me that I get water from juice, fruit, etc, and as long as I feel well hydrated, then it should be fine. Since he’s a doctor, I tend to just nod my head, agree with him, and reach for another Diet Pepsi. :-) Oh, and I think you are the juice/coffee drinker!
My two cents is that Pat’s the water drinker. You do need to drink water in addition to other fluids but I don’t necessarily think it’s always got to be 6 – 8 glasses. I think it depends on the individual person.
I think drinking all fluids counts towards your water intake. Personally drinking more than one or two extra cups of water makes me feel awful! I think the water drinker is your husband and the non-water drinker is you. When will the mystery be revealed? :)
You need 6-8 glasses of water on top of the coffee. And I think YOU are the one who needs to add more water to their diet :)
Some of it counts, some of it doesn’t. If it’s got caffeine in it, then you’re probably going to lose more water than you gain since caffeine is a diuretic but other stuff with water in it will add to your water intake….. who says it’s 6 cups anyway, I keep hearing different amounts… up to 3 litres! Drink what you need….. and tell him to stop bugging you… am I right? ;-)
You need 6 to 8 glasses on top of the water in food and other drinks like coffee and juice.
And I think the water drinker in Pat b/c I have seen you in person and I can’t recall having seen you drink a lot of water. Coffee and soda and juice yes, water not so much.
Then again, I am probably wrong.
Juice, coffee, and whatever else, is definitely not the same as water. Hence 8 glasses of water a day and not 8 glasses of juice.
But there are some folks who just don’t drink that much water. Hubby for instance is a juice and iced coffee kinda guy and while I looove my coffee and juice, I also looooooooove and more importantly need, my water. In the end, as long as you’re healthy, I guess it’s okay.
My guess is that Pat’s the water drinker and you’re the juice and coffee drinker. Why??? Cuz you’re a mom, there’s no way you’d survive without the sugar in the juice or the caffeine in the coffee. LOL.
I say drink as much water as you think you want or need. Of course, a little more is always a plus. Minus the 3x I was pregnant and drinking enough water to flood Texas with and the times I am working or spending a lot of time out side, I really maybe only drink 4-5 glasses of water a day.
As for the one who doesn’t drink enough and says MYOB, I’m in agreement. Nagging leads to fights. Fights lead to tears. Tears lead to any number of things.
That said, I’d be most surprised if you are anything but the one who drinks enough water.
In general about half your body weight in ounces ie if you weigh 100 lbs than about 50 ounces a day, however that is only a generalization. There are several other factors to consider, such as, amount and types of exercise, amount and types of other food and beverage intake, climate, oh and whether or not you hold your nose and stand on your head while drinking coffee! I think your husband is the water drinker.
I’ve been told that if you feel thirsty, you’re already getting dehydrated. I’ve also heard that all fluid counts. So I can only draw the conclusion that if you’re thirsty, drink SOMETHING. Yes, water is good for you because it’s simple, clean, no calories and our body does need it. I also think it’s the only thing that truly quenches thirst.
In short, you need some water, but you don’t need to literally drink 8 glasses every day.
I’m guessing your husband is the water drinker.
I think it doesn’t matter how much water X thinks Y should drink (or vice versa). These are the things that make marriages crazy. You should each drink/eat/do what you feel like. As long as it doesn’t hurt the other, you should be separate people doing what you each think is best. We will all make mistakes, but they are our own to make.
P.S. I am insane about your blog colors and layout. Phenomenal. I haven’t been by in a long time. :)
Water is important and we tend to drink it with meals, especially when dining out. I would tend to agree about the coffee or caffeinated beverages being diuretics and only hurting you hydration-wise.
I don’t drink more than 2 cups of water a day, but I always get my 3-5 servings of veg and never go a day without an apple or most days two. If you are eating fresh, live food that is primarily water anyway (ie: fruit and veg) then I don’t believe that you need to take in more water. I drink when I am thirsty or if I get a headache, because that usually means I am a bit dehydrated. I’d venture to guess it’s hubby that doesn’t drink water. I’d also guess he’s the one who needs a diet makeover too??? Hope you guys can figure out who is right. So the ONE who is can say, “I told you so.” Ha
So because I guess you are the coffee/juicer, I hate to break it to ya… But coffee dehydrates you! It count as like -1 cup! Lol I am an avid coffee drinker. I hate it, but it’s pretty true from what I’ve read and lived. I love water too…. But I feel like, why drink water when you can have awesomeness in a mug?! I’ve had to cut back on the grinds though and drink more water lately!
While it is true that caffeine is dehydrating to a certain extent, I don’t think it matters where you get your fluid from. Especially seeing as when I make coffee I know that I use a lot more water than coffee to do so! Also, at work when our patients are dehydrated or need more fluids for whatever reason (low blood pressure, urinary infection,etc) , the doctor always writes an order that says “encourage fluids”, leading me to believe that it doesn’t matter whether it is straight water or not. Drinking more water may be good for your skin, and is probably a better choice because it is sugar free, but as far as your overall hydration I’m pretty sure other fluids are fine.
So wait, when everyone stops responding, are you going to divulge who the drinker is? I think you are a non-drinker. And I h.a.t.e. drinking water because it makes me pee. (Which is good for me, but whatevs…)
I think the water drinker should probably mind his own business unless you have something equally trivial to pick on him about.
And thanks for reminding me to get off my lazy butt and fill up my water glass. Even if it means walking across the whole.office!!!