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Originally Posted by Martian
This is a half-truth. There are about 8 billion different brews of tea out there and the effect one particular type may or may not have depends heavily on what's in it. Caffeine is a diuretic, so heavily caffeinated blends can have an adverse effect on hydration by causing one to expel more water than one takes in.
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Actually, this is now considered a myth, as it has been proven false. Drinking tea--even caffeinated black tea--does not dehydrate you (assuming you have no personal adverse effects to tea otherwise). It is a diuretic, but the effect is minimal. If you drink a cup of black tea, it will not force you to lose a cup or more of fluid. It actually hydrates you much like water does, except it has antioxidants as well.
[Edit: Even a cup of really strong coffee will give you a minimal net hydration benefit.]
In a typical day, I drink a cup of coffee in the morning and about four cups of tea (both black and green) before the end of my work day. I'm far from dehydrated despite the fact that I haven't had a single glass of water during that time otherwise. I do, however, drink water in the morning upon waking and some in the evening as well.
[Edit: I should mention as well that one's tolerance for caffeine is developed with regular intake. If you aren't used to caffeine (or have a caffeine sensitivity) and suddenly start to drink a lot of it, you may have more difficulty rehydrating.]
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Originally Posted by Martian
In regards to the fast food, reducing consumption of that will not only improve your diet, but also your wallet. Having someone else make dinner for you comes at a premium. If you don't have the energy to cook every night, perhaps getting some of your family members to share the load would help; after all, they eat it too.
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Also, preparing and cleaning up after dinner is a form of light exercise that helps burn calories--much like other housework!