"Eating and Drinking Don't Mix" article

CarolynF · 09-22-2008, 01:42 PM

This is a very interesting mini-article on how we should "drink" our water around meals. Dr. Batman....(water expert) recommends that we "drink" 20 minutes before a meal..and not until 2 hours after a meal. Ben Lynch wrote this article about eating and drinking..Food for thought.

While eating your meal, for the most part, do not drink with it.

This dilutes the stomach acids and digestive enzymes. It is best to drink 20 minutes before your meal - this helps uptake of nutrients and move bowels.

If you feel your mouth is just so darn dry while eating, that is likely due to being:

* stressed while you eat,

* eating in a rush,

* not being aware that you are eating

* secretory glands not functioning well due to drinking during meals [conditioned not to secrete]

If any of those explain you while eating, try to adjust. Your secretory glands will regain proper function once you train yourself not to drink during meals.

If you absolutely cannot avoid drinking during meals then:

* avoid cold drinks

* drink warm to hot teas

* avoid milk during meals

Drinking cold mucousy milk during a meal is like spraying foam on a fire. It totally kills it. The Chinese call your digestive system the triple burner. It burns from below and that fire works its way up properly digesting your foods. Cold milk and beverages douse that fire.

We had a patient come in to the clinic with chronic constipation for years. She was improving but not rapidly. She happened to stop by my website and read information about avoiding drinks and especially cold drinks during meals. Once she changed this, she now goes 2 times a day!

Simple.

Give it a shot.

P.S.

If you're doctor told you to drink during meals - then by all means, listen to 'em. Also drink plenty of water while you take your fiber supplement. If you don't you'll have a big bunch of fiber sitting like concrete.

copyright 2005

micki641 · 09-22-2008, 01:54 PM

Interesting.......My dad was from Poland....born in 1923... Old world habits and old world values (I am so lucky to have been taught those!!) and he never allowed us to drink during our meals, only after eating. Now that I think about it, we were always offered a drink about an hour before the meal was ready.....

WenB · 09-22-2008, 01:58 PM

Interesting read.

I found in curious that my surgeon recommends about the same timeframes for his lap band patients.

Nikouli · 09-22-2008, 02:02 PM

My Yiayia (grandmother in Greek) used to always enforce these rules as well. You weren't allowed to drink something until you finished your food. Although, I think this was based on the fact that she didn't want us to get full from our drink...lol.

CarolynF · 09-22-2008, 02:52 PM

Interesting comments. Water does dilute digestive juices and we all need our "juices" for digesting food, especially our proteins and fats.

AllieCat0817 · 09-22-2008, 03:29 PM

I've been separating my water intake my meals since I started LCing. It felt like the good thing to do right from the beginning.

auntiesocial · 09-22-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Dr. Batman....(water expert)

...but I thought he was a crime-fighter, not a water expert? And I had no idea he was a doctor! I wanna go to Dr. Batman!

Seriously though... I always drink while eating. Not for any reason, it's just what I've always done. I just finished eating a mini meal (I work 12 hour shifts, 4 mini-meals works better for me than 3 big ones), and I'm tryin' real hard to not pick up my water bottle.

jacksmixedtape · 09-22-2008, 06:26 PM

This TOTALLY works for me! I actually don't drink much "added" water at all, preferring to get my liquids for the day from green vegetables. Too much water = awful acid reflux! Guzzling water down every hour doesn't help my skin, metabolism, any of that stuff. Just kicks up acid in a most painful way.

Drinking while eating also allows you to eat more--you can consume more food more quickly if you keep wetting your throat. I read that somewhere and it's true! It's a misconception that water fills you up, disproven by studies in which mice pumped full of water continued to consume the same amount of calories as mice without water pumped into their stomachs.

jem51 · 09-22-2008, 06:38 PM

somewhere in my vegetarian days i started the 20 min before and 2hr after (i think it was food combining), and it stuck. i don't need my digestive juices diluted. in college we did this experiment in physiology lab....yup it's true.

Nikouli · 09-22-2008, 07:00 PM

So does this theory aid in weight loss?

jem51 · 09-22-2008, 07:47 PM

i struggled w my weight the whole time i was a vegetarian/whole grain eater, so.....there ya go!

Nikouli · 09-22-2008, 08:28 PM

oobladee · 09-23-2008, 08:28 AM

In the 70's it was also talked about for the reasons you list. As far as I know, it is not technically true that liquids would possibly dilute stomach acids to a faulty level.

In my research of WLS, this came up again, of course for different reasons with a surgically altered stomach.

All this aside, I try to do this; I swear it does help me perceive satiety sooner. Drinking the fluid before meals, then nothing with my meals until at least a half hour after makes me feel fuller; I think I stop eating sooner. Less food makes me feel satisfied!

It is definitely worth a try!

dae_tona · 09-23-2008, 08:57 AM

I've also read that you shouldn't eat soup before a meal because it is made with water...

Dyan

Goldenrod · 09-23-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Interesting comments. Water does dilute digestive juices and we all need our "juices" for digesting food, especially our proteins and fats.

It's been a long time since I read it, but I think they address this in Protein Power. I also seem to remember them having a chapter on milk, and how human beings are the only animal that continue to drink milk after they're weaned as babies. They weren't against milk products/dairy, just stright-up milk, if I remember right. But I do remember them saying something about water and other beverages diluting the digestive juices in the stomach.

BABSY · 09-23-2008, 10:52 AM

all I know is, if you are eating a flax muffin, you better have that water with it or you may choke

flatferenghi · 09-23-2008, 11:52 AM

I shall continue to drink while eating; hot, cold, & always non-alcoholic. If I had to eat w/o washing it down, I would weigh 4 times as much as i do. Some things I refuse to change!!! Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI

CarolynF · 09-24-2008, 11:38 AM

You know..I am doing this and started losing some weight again. If I lose another couple of pounds, I will definitely know it's the water thing.

Dr. Groves says try to drink your water around your meals, but if you need some water with a meal...definitely no more than 8 ounces per meal or it will dilute your stomach juices.

I think it is worth trying and definitely helps my digestion, especially at dinnertime.

09-22-2008, 01:42 PM	#1
CarolynF Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 23,414 Gallery: CarolynF Stats: 195/151/139 WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin/I Can Make You Thin Start Date: January 2001	"Eating and Drinking Don't Mix" article This is a very interesting mini-article on how we should "drink" our water around meals. Dr. Batman....(water expert) recommends that we "drink" 20 minutes before a meal..and not until 2 hours after a meal. Ben Lynch wrote this article about eating and drinking..Food for thought. While eating your meal, for the most part, do not drink with it. This dilutes the stomach acids and digestive enzymes. It is best to drink 20 minutes before your meal - this helps uptake of nutrients and move bowels. If you feel your mouth is just so darn dry while eating, that is likely due to being: * stressed while you eat, * eating in a rush, * not being aware that you are eating * secretory glands not functioning well due to drinking during meals [conditioned not to secrete] If any of those explain you while eating, try to adjust. Your secretory glands will regain proper function once you train yourself not to drink during meals. If you absolutely cannot avoid drinking during meals then: * avoid cold drinks * drink warm to hot teas * avoid milk during meals Drinking cold mucousy milk during a meal is like spraying foam on a fire. It totally kills it. The Chinese call your digestive system the triple burner. It burns from below and that fire works its way up properly digesting your foods. Cold milk and beverages douse that fire. We had a patient come in to the clinic with chronic constipation for years. She was improving but not rapidly. She happened to stop by my website and read information about avoiding drinks and especially cold drinks during meals. Once she changed this, she now goes 2 times a day! Simple. Give it a shot. P.S. If you're doctor told you to drink during meals - then by all means, listen to 'em. Also drink plenty of water while you take your fiber supplement. If you don't you'll have a big bunch of fiber sitting like concrete. copyright 2005 __________________ November: 151

09-22-2008, 06:26 PM	#8
jacksmixedtape Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: going to school in NC Posts: 3,422 Gallery: jacksmixedtape Stats: 160/140ish, 5'11" WOE: gluten-free whole foods Start Date: May 2007	This TOTALLY works for me! I actually don't drink much "added" water at all, preferring to get my liquids for the day from green vegetables. Too much water = awful acid reflux! Guzzling water down every hour doesn't help my skin, metabolism, any of that stuff. Just kicks up acid in a most painful way. Drinking while eating also allows you to eat more--you can consume more food more quickly if you keep wetting your throat. I read that somewhere and it's true! It's a misconception that water fills you up, disproven by studies in which mice pumped full of water continued to consume the same amount of calories as mice without water pumped into their stomachs. __________________ ~Lauren in the process of posting my gluten-free sugar-free recipes... Healthy Indulgences "I've got a perfect body, but sometimes I forget. I've got a perfect body 'cause my eyelashes catch my sweat." Last edited by jacksmixedtape; 09-22-2008 at 06:27 PM..

09-23-2008, 11:52 AM	#17
flatferenghi Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,191 Gallery: flatferenghi	absolutely not!!! I shall continue to drink while eating; hot, cold, & always non-alcoholic. If I had to eat w/o washing it down, I would weigh 4 times as much as i do. Some things I refuse to change!!! Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI

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09-22-2008, 01:54 PM	#2
micki641 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North East Posts: 590 Gallery: micki641 Stats: 162/162/125 5'5 WOE: Clean Low Carb Start Date: 7/14/08 Again!!!	Interesting.......My dad was from Poland....born in 1923... Old world habits and old world values (I am so lucky to have been taught those!!) and he never allowed us to drink during our meals, only after eating. Now that I think about it, we were always offered a drink about an hour before the meal was ready.....

09-22-2008, 01:58 PM	#3
WenB MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,885 Gallery: WenB Stats: 311 (h)/247.8 (i)/241 (c)/20-24% Body Fat (g) WOE: Lap Band - Atkins Modified for Candida - BMR Start Date: Induction on 7/22/08; Surgery 12/06	Interesting read. I found in curious that my surgeon recommends about the same timeframes for his lap band patients.

09-22-2008, 02:02 PM	#4
Nikouli MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,098 Gallery: Nikouli Stats: 5'5" 174+/154/130 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 5/29/08	My Yiayia (grandmother in Greek) used to always enforce these rules as well. You weren't allowed to drink something until you finished your food. Although, I think this was based on the fact that she didn't want us to get full from our drink...lol.

09-22-2008, 02:52 PM	#5
CarolynF Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 23,414 Gallery: CarolynF Stats: 195/151/139 WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin/I Can Make You Thin Start Date: January 2001	Interesting comments. Water does dilute digestive juices and we all need our "juices" for digesting food, especially our proteins and fats.

09-22-2008, 03:29 PM	#6
AllieCat0817 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southeastern Coastal SC Posts: 12,189 Gallery: AllieCat0817 Stats: 213.5/136.5/140 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: 5/23/03	I've been separating my water intake my meals since I started LCing. It felt like the good thing to do right from the beginning.

09-22-2008, 06:38 PM	#9
jem51 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: south central OR Posts: 2,446 Gallery: jem51 Stats: oh so happy at 120 WOE: EFGT Start Date: controlled carb '97-98	somewhere in my vegetarian days i started the 20 min before and 2hr after (i think it was food combining), and it stuck. i don't need my digestive juices diluted. in college we did this experiment in physiology lab....yup it's true.

09-22-2008, 07:00 PM	#10
Nikouli MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,098 Gallery: Nikouli Stats: 5'5" 174+/154/130 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 5/29/08	So does this theory aid in weight loss?

09-22-2008, 07:47 PM	#11
jem51 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: south central OR Posts: 2,446 Gallery: jem51 Stats: oh so happy at 120 WOE: EFGT Start Date: controlled carb '97-98	i struggled w my weight the whole time i was a vegetarian/whole grain eater, so.....there ya go!

09-22-2008, 08:28 PM	#12
Nikouli MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,098 Gallery: Nikouli Stats: 5'5" 174+/154/130 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 5/29/08

09-23-2008, 08:28 AM	#13
oobladee Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Far North, Cali Posts: 644 Gallery: oobladee Stats: Top BMI: 37; Currently: 30-31 WOE: Moderate fat & cals/hi protein/low carb Start Date: March 2006	In the 70's it was also talked about for the reasons you list. As far as I know, it is not technically true that liquids would possibly dilute stomach acids to a faulty level. In my research of WLS, this came up again, of course for different reasons with a surgically altered stomach. All this aside, I try to do this; I swear it does help me perceive satiety sooner. Drinking the fluid before meals, then nothing with my meals until at least a half hour after makes me feel fuller; I think I stop eating sooner. Less food makes me feel satisfied! It is definitely worth a try!

09-23-2008, 08:57 AM	#14
dae_tona MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Enchanted Desert Posts: 2,337 Gallery: dae_tona Stats: 186/124 5'0 size 2 in misses/sz 7 in juniors WOE: Eating like a thin person Start Date: Feb 2002/Maintaining since May 2004	I've also read that you shouldn't eat soup before a meal because it is made with water... Dyan

09-23-2008, 10:52 AM	#16
BABSY Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MCKINNEY,TX Posts: 4,161 Gallery: BABSY	all I know is, if you are eating a flax muffin, you better have that water with it or you may choke

09-24-2008, 11:38 AM	#18
CarolynF Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 23,414 Gallery: CarolynF Stats: 195/151/139 WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin/I Can Make You Thin Start Date: January 2001	You know..I am doing this and started losing some weight again. If I lose another couple of pounds, I will definitely know it's the water thing. Dr. Groves says try to drink your water around your meals, but if you need some water with a meal...definitely no more than 8 ounces per meal or it will dilute your stomach juices. I think it is worth trying and definitely helps my digestion, especially at dinnertime.