Drinking while Eating

MadeInDR022

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I have a quick question. Is it bad to drink while you eat? In my younger years I was told that it was not good to drink water with my meal, but to wait until I was done because I'd be able to digest my meal better and not gain weight. Is this true? Does any body know what its based on?

MadeInDR022

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SideSteel

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I have a quick question. Is it bad to drink while you eat? In my younger years I was told that it was not good to drink water with my meal, but to wait until I was done because I'd be able to digest my meal better and not gain weight. Is this true? Does any body know what its based on?

Weight change is dictated by energy balance. Given equal energy balance in both situations (drinking during meals vs drinking before or after) there will be no difference.

Vaisaxena

possibly - jason ferruggia also recommends not drinking water with meals to improve digestion... though, i feel the difference would be minimal at best

odusgolp

I remember being told repeatedly during college that if you drank alcohol while eating everything you eat turns straight into belly fat & cellulite since you only burn the alcohol.

True story. :drinker:

annabobbleuk

I always assumed it was good for the digestive system if you drink water whilst eating?

Although I just found this article...

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-30/diet/30433066_1_meals-juices-water

HeidiMightyRawr

I've always drank water/juice throughout meals, always. More so when I was younger and I was really skinny as a kid!

stumblinthrulife

Sounds like psuedo-science and old wives tales to me.

infamousmk

I pretty much always drink beer while eating meals.

Erienneb

I always drink while I eat; always have always will. It switched from copious amount of coke to a glass of water per meal, though. It's gotta be like the difference between cold water and room temperature-negligable. in my opinion.

UsedToBeHusky

Actually, I've always heard that you should always drink water with your meals because it helps to break down the food faster. Plus, it takes up space in your stomach so you eat less. I don't know how much science is behind it, but I don't think I could get through a meal without something to wash it down.

bcattoes

Wine and food are match made in Heaven. :drinker:

stumblinthrulife

What about foods high in water content? Should we dehydrate cucumber before eating?

_Timmeh_

A straw helps, cause you can fit the straw in the corner of your mouth while taking a bite.

meldel49

That is amazing given the fact that you have lost many pounds. What type of beer do you drink? I usually drink and then get the muchies and screw it all up.

staciarose13

I always drink diet pop or water when I eat because it helps fill me up faster and keeps me full.

gspea

I had Lapband surgery and have been told NOT to drink with my meals. It is because if you drink liquids with your meal - it helps flush the food thru your system - therefore you do not feel full as long as if you didn't drink.

pamwhite712

I heard that you should drink when you're thirsty. But that might just be an urban legend, so be careful.

hickorycutie

I always heard if u drink a glass of water before each meal u wont eat as much... but im not much of a water drinker

kendunn579

A straw helps, cause you can fit the straw in the corner of your mouth while taking a bite.

Speeds up the whole process. Like it!

DamnImASexyBitch

I tend to drink before and after my meal vs with it. I think it's all just personal preference.

perfectingpatti

I've been told not to drink water while eating, but I have GERD and had my gall bladder removed. The water breaks down the acid in my stomach, making it harder to digest food. Or something like that.

stumblinthrulife

I had Lapband surgery and have been told NOT to drink with my meals. It is because if you drink liquids with your meal - it helps flush the food thru your system - therefore you do not feel full as long as if you didn't drink.

I've been told not to drink water while eating, but I have GERD and had my gall bladder removed. The water breaks down the acid in my stomach, making it harder to digest food. Or something like that.

Both are excellent reasons, if advised by a physician.

But it's the stuff that these myths are made of - advice given to an individuals, or group of individuals, that have special needs, but is then assumed to be the right thing for everyone.

Personally, I'll continue chugging a big ol' glass of water with every meal.

MadeInDR022

Thanks for the replies!

KANGOOJUMPS

i know so many people that can eat a meal with no drink, i think it is so so weird!

Rhonnie

IF there is any truth to this, I bet the nominal improvement isn't as beneficial as drinking water with your meal and feeling full sooner so not eating as much.

DonaA123

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MENichols5

My mom has severe IBS (gets such bad stomach aches she has to use a heating pad after eating just about anything, she has gone through the gamut of tests and no one can really figure out what is wrong).

Anyways, she is seeing a doctor who specializes in severe IBS and has been told to cut out dairy among other things AND to not drink water (or anything) during meals because it dilutes out the enzymes your stomach uses to properly digest the food you eat.

She has seen some positive results from this (plus taking a lot of different supplements, enzymes, and vitamins).

EDIT to say that I do not think this is a weight loss "trick" more than just a way to help with IBS from your food not properly digesting!

Mini_Medic

I drink a lot of water (or whatever my choice of beverage) at meals, sometimes to the point when I go out to eat I annoy the waitress/waiter because I need so many refills. I often just ask for a pitcher to be left at my table because I will drink 6-8 glasses of water during a meal. I can't eat without drinking. I have only noticed good things with increased water consumption. This just from a real life practical application of my normal habits.

From a health/medical standpoint (take this as you will, I'm not a doctor, just a lowly paramedic) water is like oxygen and blood, if you don't have enough you cease to function. Our bodies are composed of >60% water. When people become dehydrated (signs include thirst, decreased urination, lack of skin recoil (pinch the skin on your hand if it doesn't immediately return to normal, or is slow to return, this isknown as tenting), headache, nausea, vomiting) they're metabolic functions become strained. Severe deydration can cause fainting (among other things) and shut down the kidneys. Notice if you haven't peed in the last four to six hours, you are dehydrated and need WATER!

Moral of my rant is water is good and it helps digestion but if you feel better, function better, without drinking anything then do what works. I prefer to drink a lot of water, I feel like it helps my loss and keeps the headaches at bay.


"Air goes in and out, blood goes round and round, any variation to this is bad... and requires immediate intervention."

Charles4Jesus

I have to drink something while eating or food gets lodged in my throat and I cannot swallow. But as for weight loss I don't know. I have also been told to drink room temp, warm, hot liquids while eating was the best for you. I don't know though, I like mine cold. I only drink hot beverages in the morning.

timpicks

The primary benefit for most people with normal digestive systems is that by not "washing down" meals with liquid, you tend to more fully chew your food. I had never thought about this until told by a friend who does this. And I definitely tended to wolf stuff down, especially when hungry. So while I still drink liquids while eating, I make a conscious effort to slow down and really chew, and it has helped my digestion.