L.A. asks from Kew Gardens, NY on June 17, 2011
Don't Drink While You Are Eating?
A co-worker just told me that it is bad practice to drink water, or other beverages while eating. Apparently it dilutes the digestive juices and makes your body work much harder to get the nutrients it needs. Drink a half hour before or a half hour afterwards.
Have any of you heard of this?
Is there merit to this?
Thanks
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R.J. answers from Seattle on June 17, 2011
From people who don't understand human anatomy and physiology, yes, I've heard it. From anyone who has taken basic chemistry much less organic chemistry? Nope. You can't dilute an acid with a water. You have to dilute it with another acid, or neutralize it with a base.
BTW... FIBER makes it MUCH harder for the body to digest food. Should we all avoid fiber?
ROFL... yah. Thought not.
4 moms found this helpful
A.D. answers from New York on June 17, 2011
I have heard of this, but it's an old wives tale. I had a nutritionist and doctor tell me it was bull!
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R.J. answers from Seattle on June 17, 2011
From people who don't understand human anatomy and physiology, yes, I've heard it. From anyone who has taken basic chemistry much less organic chemistry? Nope. You can't dilute an acid with a water. You have to dilute it with another acid, or neutralize it with a base.
BTW... FIBER makes it MUCH harder for the body to digest food. Should we all avoid fiber?
ROFL... yah. Thought not.
4 moms found this helpful
M.D. answers from Dallas on June 17, 2011
yes, I've heard this and also it's bad to drink "cold" drinks, you should drink lukewarm water never ice water, especially after you ate something greasy. Which did make sense to me, you know when you have cooked something greasy and you put water, especially cold water in the pan how it clumps up, that is what it does to your insides...
I also heard drinking while eating makes room for more food to be eaten.
3 moms found this helpful
C.J. answers from Lancaster on June 17, 2011
Yes, there is merit to what your co-worker said.
I'd also like to add that, as a rule, when we drink while eating it's to "wash down" our food. We shouldn't be having to wash anything down (medical conditions excluded, of course!). We should be chewing our food enough that it breaks down in our mouth. By the time you go to swallow each bite, there really ought to be not much left to swallow.
I taught all my children to chew their food 30 times before they swallow. Doing so eliminates the need for a beverage at mealtimes. They don't all count how many chews now, because once you're "good" at chewing, you can tell by the feel of the food in your mouth when it's time to swallow.
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E.G. answers from Jackson on June 17, 2011
I don't know about the half hour. But I have heard don't drink while eating.
2 moms found this helpful
R.L. answers from Roanoke on June 17, 2011
I haven't heard of the practice before, but I've always done this, it's just my nature. I usually have a few sips before I eat, then nothing until after I eat. Therefore, I always order water, especially in restaurants, because I know I'm not going to drink it. Some people have told me I'm weird, so I hope there IS some merit to this!
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C.J. answers from Milwaukee on June 17, 2011
My husband had (VERY SUCCESSFUL) gastric by-pass surgery seven months ago. They STRESS for him NOT to drink while eating. I just assumed it was because his stomach was smaller now.
Hmmm, maybe THAT'S been the root of those evil 25 pounds I need to shed. Something to think about...
1 mom found this helpful
A.G. answers from Albuquerque on June 17, 2011
I have heard that, but I think I would choke to death! How in the flip-flop do you eat a pb&j and not drink anything for half an hour????? I think my throat would close up all full of pb.....
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K.M. answers from Chicago on June 17, 2011
My BIL preaches this ... he says the same thing, he grew up in the orient and aparently this is a typical practice. I can not stick to it fully but I do try. Honestly I do not feel a difference but who knows for sure?
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