Question:
Can S/F iced tea be substituted for daily water intake?

I am 8 weeks post-op and have lost 50 lbs. I have had a really tough time getting my water in, however. I am a big tea drinker. Is it ok to substitute tea in place of water? I drink Lipton Decaf iced tea (made at home) and add a sweet -n-low or Equal packet with each glass. I can easily get in eight 8 oz. glasses per day. What do you all think?    — Mary W. (posted on May 3, 2002)

May 3, 2002
No, not really. If you drink a 12 oz glass of tea, you'll need to drink 24 oz of water to cancel it out. Tea dehydrates, even decaf. And the tannic acid in it can contribute to kidney stones! Try putting a few drops of s/f latte syrup in your water, or a sqqueze of fresh lemon? Pour it over ice in a pretty glass and see if any of those things make it easier.
   — vitalady

May 3, 2002
I was told by my dietician that decaf tea can be sub'd for water intake. I even asked about artificial sweetners at my last post meeting with her. She said it's fine. Now caffeinated tea/coffee/cokes act as a diuretic (sp?) and for every one of those you drink you must drink double the amount of water.
   — Renee V.

May 3, 2002
I'm with everyone else here. If it's decaf s/f iced tea...it's a great source of water!
   — Kristin R.

May 3, 2002
Michelle, you look so terrific, I hate to buck your reply on this one :-) If it is decaf, it counts as water. Thank goodness! I'm almost 11 months out and if it weren't for weak, decaf hot tea, my liquids would never ever reach 60 oz. Actually, I drink more like 100+ ounces per day. -157 pounds and feeling "sassy." Barb B.
   — Barbara B.

May 3, 2002
Believe me, I HATE that rule. I was just getting used to the caffeine rule when they hit me with this one. The tannic acid was from 2 urologists (his & mine, as we each had our kidney stones) AND the dentist, a kidney stone sufferer, himself. AND he was warning me to stay away for my teeth. Man, they just had me totally outnumbered. I'd like to think iced tea, weak, non-sugar decaf is harmless, but I just can't when I've seen so many of us be hit by kidney stones. Tums + tea is a sure fire recipe, I fear. Either one still increases the chances. Sigh.
   — vitalady

May 3, 2002
Oh, and thank you very much for the compliment! It took 3 yrs for the colas and teas to catch me, BTW. But I got my stone for Christmas that year. Took 5 days away from me. Now, my husband didn't get his til this year (6.5 yrs), but he was in hosptil with his, 2 minor surgeries & the blasting. He doesn't do tea, only coffee & cola. I'm slow, but I learn.
   — vitalady