Drinking whilst eating, yay or nay?

chatnel

I have heard conflicting agreements on consuming liquid when eating.
Being:
Drinking water with a meal fills you up; and
Drinking water with a meal dilutes your food making it quicker to digest so you will be hungry sooner.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

neanderthin

Not sure I usually drink beer.

Dahllywood

I've heard drinking while eating conflicts with the acids in your digestive system...
That said, I drink while I eat :P

katmariew

You should drink while eating if you are thirsty. Water will not dilute the acids in your digestive system. I would say drink enough so that you feel like you are not choking down your food, but don't engorge yourself with water. Moderation in all things is key!

jynxxxed

I don't know whether or not it's bad, but I always drink some water with my food. Everyyyy time I eat. It's just habit.

chatnel

I tend to drink separately. One litre between breakfast and lunch and then another litre in the afternoon.

msliu7911

I've tried the glass of water before each meal (and then more water during), and it not only makes me fuller faster but keeps me hydrated.

This isn't the first mention of the whole "don't drink while you eat" that I've seen on here lately.. and I don't know where everyone is getting it from... but it sounds so silly! Drink when you're thirsty.. and drink often. (water) Then worry about getting filled up from the proper food choices (i.e. protein and fiberous fruits/veggies so you stay full longer).

momtokgo

I always have water when I'm eating.

Bonny619

I totally drink water when I eat, I always have. My husband is someone that can eat an entire meal without a single drink of anything, I just can't do that.

missjewl

I personally have drink bottled water with most of my meals. I generally drink about half the bottle before i start eating and then continue to sip it throughout or after my meal.

kazzari

I usually don't drink anything with my meals, except maybe coffee with breakfast., but only because I don't enjoy doing so. I've never heard water speeding up the digestion process. I have heard the diluting your acids theory and also read that was bunk. I really don't think it is going to have much impact either way.

Gwenski

I don't drink within an hour of eating (1/2 hour either side). I've talked to lots of folks about this. I do drink lots (at least 96 oz. a day).
I chatted with a dear friend that spends a lot of time in Italy. She remarked that obesity doesn't seem to be as rampant there. It is not cultural to drink with meals except for a SMALL amount of wine (2-4 oz).. I found that interesting.

Anna800

I've tried the glass of water before each meal (and then more water during), and it not only makes me fuller faster but keeps me hydrated.

That's a good idea!

I don't think less water is the secret in Italy, the secret is they eat clean.

peachyxoxoxo

I drink water when I'm thirsty, and that includes meal times. The only time I would absolutely suggest not to drink fluids with your meals is if you have some sort of fluid restriction, such as a person with chronic kidney disease.

chatnel

Not talking about hydration or thirsty. I have heard some people speciallty drink water with their meal to make them fuller so they eat less but if the food is then processed faster it kind of defeats the purpose.

AZKristi

I think both of those hypotheses oversimplify human physiology to such a degree that they should be completely ignored. If you are thirsty, drink.