question about water

I was wondering what your thoughts are on sugar free, sodium free, and calorie free drink mixes. I use the Great Value lemonade. Can I count those as water or should I still drink 64 ounces of plain water on top of the lemonade I drink?

I personally think you should just have the water and skip those mixes with who knows what's in them. I'm sure there's calorie-free cyanide as well.

OK that's over the top, but you know what I mean 

my nutritionst advised me to drink pure water - none of that zero calorie, flavoured stuff. the body needs pure water - sure you can count 1 glass of water as flavoured, but try to get the majority of your daily water requirements through pure water.

 i cant stand plain water and i drink the mixes and count them as water. it is really a personal choice i guess and i think that if i get my "water" in by dumping a little packet in there...well - it beats soda.

I understand the effort to stay hydrated, but I've read that it may dilute the water in your body, requiring your body to give up even MORE water to make it isotonic. but I don't know the clincial/real life application of that.
If that's the only way you'll drink water, then do it. But if you can, drink SOME plain water just to counteract some of the diluting effects.

I don't really like plain water either.  I recently decided that I was consuming too many Crystal Light, Nestea, and Lipton single serve packs.  You just don't know what is in them and to consume about 4 / day can't be healthy in the long run with all the artificial and manipulated sugar substitutes.  I have started buying lemons and limes to cut up to add to my water.  About 1/8 of a lime or lemon squeezed in to about 500ml is enough to change the taste.

Realistically, at least for me, I think it is far better to use drink mixes and such in order to get all of one's required water than to not drink enough water at all. Water is water in the end, and if you happen to have a problem with suger substitutes, etc. that is a whole different subject that has little to do with proper hydration, in my informed estimation. I know that I personally would be much less hydrated if I didn't use those little packets of Crystal Lite-- some even have vitamins in them!

plain water is better...and for those of you who don't like the taste of it, i bet if you start drinking it regularly, you'll overcome that as your body adapts. 

if you want a kick to your water, drink it with lime or lemon OR drink herbal tea (hot or iced)...

Would it help to squeeze a bit of lemon in the water?

It helps me. I don't like water much either. Plus, I can't drink it when it is too cold. 

I use one called Vita Splash Fiber Infusion, and I have one per day in 32 oz of water. It has 5 grams of fiber in it, so it's not calorie free, and the rest of the day I drink plain water. It's helped me not crave Diet Coke in the mornings. I really don't care about the whole artificial sweetners thing.