Hydration… What counts?
True or False: You can let thirst be your guide for getting in fluids.
False. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Sometimes we think we are hungry when it’s really thirst that is getting your attention. Water is the most essential nutrient humans need, meaning you can’t go very long without enough water. Water helps regulate body temperature, keeps blood volume up to transport nutrients into cells, allows waste products to be excreted, keeps blood pressure in healthier ranges, aids with digestion, helps prevent fatigue and keeps your mental function in good order.
Unless you take a diuretic (water pill), you can use your urine color to evaluate hydration. If your urine color is clear or pale yellow, you are hydrated. After surgery, it’s a real struggle to get in enough water. Looking for all sources of water is important after surgery. Keeping a water bottle with you at all times is an important strategy to keep hydrated.
You can count fluids that don’t have caffeine, calories or carbonation towards your water intake. The no-calorie flavor powders and drops can be used if plain water gets boring. All those protein drinks you have contain mostly water. Count 80 percent of your protein drinks as water. Clear liquids count as well. Clear liquids include broth, sugar free gelatin and sugar free popsicles you focus on during the clear liquid diet phases before and after surgery.
You have a limited stomach pouch after surgery. This means your foods and fluids after surgery have to become nutrient dense, which means you need to pack in a lot of nutrition in a small volume. Hydration is a habit of very high importance. Remember, if you think you are hungry, it might be hydration that needs to be handled.
Rene Norman, RD/LD
René Norman, RD/LD is a registered and licensed dietitian. René has provided medical nutrition therapy for cardiovascular, diabetes, obesity, celiac disease, wellness and disease prevention in a variety of settings. While working in a private practice, René enjoyed counseling individuals and families and delivering presentations to schools, community groups and corporations. Guided by evidence based practices, emerging research, non-diet approaches to weight management and nearly a decade of experience with bariatric patients, René works with bariatric patients to educate them about nutrition before and after surgery.
Rene’ graduated from the University of Tulsa and completed her dietitian internship through Oklahoma State University. Rene’ is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has served in leadership positions in local and state dietetics associations.
I have always been a Water drinker. I used to joke and say it was one of the few things I did right. I do have my 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning, but no sodas, tea, or juice. only occasionally will I have a glass of milk.
Since getting surgery, I have actually struggled getting in my Water needs. I never really drank with meals, either, so it isn't that.
But I definitely carry my water wherever I go - it is my Linus blanket 
I finally downloaded an app on my phone. Silly, but effective. The one I use is Aqualert (android) but I've been looking at others as well. Just thought I'd throw that out there!!
i like to out the pack of red Hawaiian punch in my water bottle. I can drink much more water now. You get about 10 packs in a box for $1. I was told caffeine does not count cause it dehydrates you.I have always been a Water drinker. I used to joke and say it was one of the few things I did right. I do have my 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning, but no sodas, tea, or juice. only occasionally will I have a glass of milk.
Since getting surgery, I have actually struggled getting in my Water needs. I never really drank with meals, either, so it isn't that.
But I definitely carry my water wherever I go - it is my Linus blanket
According to WebMD: "coffee and tea also count in your tally. Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not offset hydration."
That's why I asked if tea counted for us. I know things are a bit different for those of us who have had WLS. I figured tea counted at least partially, but wasn't sure how much it counted as.
My point of view is that naturally carbonated mineral Water counts.
In reply to your question, @@imsoglad56,
Too many caffeinated beverages can lead to a diuretic action, meaning you may lose more Water than you take in. If you tea is occasional and your hydration status is good, then you can count that towards your fluids. It’s when patients caffeine on a daily basis and in large amounts. The threshold for too much caffeine is 300 mg per day. Keep in mind, both de-caf and regular tea have tannins, which will block Iron absorption. Thanks for your question.
imsoglad56 402
Posted
So do caffeinated beverages count towards Water intake at all? I like to drink unsweet iced tea sometimes. Can I count any part of that, or no?
Share this comment
Link to comment
Share on other sites