Drinking while eating

[peanutterb]

I remember as a child being told not to drink while eating. I thought it was because we'd prefer to drink all that yummy juice instead of eating our food.
But recently my uncle also told me not to drink while eating because your stomach has to stop digeting food to digest the drink. I really don't drink "drink" only water so I didn't think it was an issue with me.

But I did more research and alot of places said not to drink while eating at all. Not even water. The thought of that is scary to me because I am addicted to water and can't do without it for more than 5 minutes at a time.
One of the sites I looked at even said not to drink for 45 mins or 2 hours or some ridiculous time after eating. :eek: The rationale was that the water diluted the stomach acids and slowed them down on digesting your food.

So I wanted to know if any of you had anything to weigh in on this issue and could sort things out for me.

I drink about 5 litres of water a day. Sometimes tea. No juice or sodas or anything. And I start drinking from the minute I wake up (I sleep with a glass next to my bed) and stop drinking about an hour before bed. When eating I like to drink before, during and after to wash my food down.

Anyway, would love to hear what you guys know/ think about this issue.

[Res]

Ahh yes, the "no liquids" while eating issue. It's really difficult to ascertain who's right or wrong peanut because they all make sense to one degree or another.

I've read that drinking interferes with the stomach acids ability to break down and digest the food properly. Then another researcher said it's important to have liquids in the stomach because they work with the stomach acids to break down the food and make it more manageable to digest.... yeesh! :o

If I'm thirsty while eating I drink - If I'm not thirsty I don't. You almost can't win, or that's what "THEY" http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/alien009.gif want us to believe..(whoever they are). :)

I just do what comes naturally (and I'm not talking about falling face first into a container of Dreyers either ;)).

Love,
~Res

[peanutterb]

thanks for the response Res. why can't people just make up their minds on these important issues?
it's tough to know what's a right time to drink while eating or how much is right because i I am consistently thirsty and i never get to the point where i feel like i've had enough. I drink a 1/2 a liter in the time someone drinks an dixie cup pof water.
i'm really confused about this whole issue.
i've been trying not to drink while i'm eating but i start breaking out in a cold sweat, i get the shakes and i can't concentrate...

i'd love to hear more research and opinions.

[browneyedgerlee]

I've never even heard that before, it's definetly something to think about. I'm the type of gal to always eat and drink together, to me the beverage i have with my meal is part of the meal. I like certain liquids with certain foods. Maybe I should try to stop, never realized it could slow the food digestion down. I know my food and drink choices haven't always been good, but never thought that even water could slow that down. Good to know :)