Is it better not to drink water during a meal, or does it matter?

I have heard that it's supposed to be better for digestion by not drinking water, etc., while eating a meal.

Is this true?  Is there a difference in how our bodies process the food/ get nutrients?

I have no idea, but I'm very curious to see what people have to say about this! I drink TONS of water while I eat. I feel like it helps me to digest, at least in my mind it does. 

I know drinking water makes me feel fuller, but sometimes I think I should just eat the food, chew slowly and enjoy all the flavor without watering down the flavor by drinking water (no pun intended.)

Also, sometimes my stomach hurts if I drink too much water during a meal, I feel better just eating food, and drinking water at other times of the day.

personally, i feel i have to drink at least a sip of water between every few bites of food while i eat. otherwise my mouth gets too dry and it feels like i'm not even digesting the food right. haha

but anyway, i think if you just drink when you're thirsty (meaning: don't guzzle it down like a fish :]) and chew your food well, your digestion should be fine.

Taking sips of water in between meals helps you eat slower, which makes your brain register the feeling of fullness.  Drinking lots of water at mealtime is what helped me adjust to a lower calorie intake whenever I first started losing weight.  I think it's very helpful.

I actually find that drinking water with my meals helps me feel fuller faster.

Water actually slips around the food and out of our stomachs very quickly so it's not as filling as some people think.   Like pouring water through a seive.  If you took the same food and blended it with the water to make a soup before drinking it it would actually take longer to be digested.  So if you want to lose weight, soups are a good tool!

Having said that.  Sipping water during eating is a good way to slow down the eating process.  We've all seen people that don't pause for breath between shovels of food!  Slowing down the rate you eat at enables your body to register that you're full.  And the water itself helps keep food moving down the intestinal tract.  Keep sipping the water.

The reason that I know for why "they" say that you are not supposed to drink water with meals is because of how the digestive system works. When you eat food your body produces acid to break down the food. Having water mixed in with the food makes it harder for the acid to break down the food, therefor, the body produce MORE acid. if you are always drinking water with your meals the body will think that it needs to produce more acid when it really doesn't. this can lead to acid reflux/heartburn.

I learned all of this in advanced anatomy so I'm pretty sure its correct? Hope it helps anyway

Original Post by dmartineau1:

The reason that I know for why "they" say that you are not supposed to drink water with meals is because of how the digestive system works. When you eat food your body produces acid to break down the food. Having water mixed in with the food makes it harder for the acid to break down the food, therefor, the body produce MORE acid. if you are always drinking water with your meals the body will think that it needs to produce more acid when it really doesn't. this can lead to acid reflux/heartburn.

I learned all of this in advanced anatomy so I'm pretty sure its correct? Hope it helps anyway

Very interesting! I've been on Zantac for a couple of years now for A/R. Do you remember if there was a recommended time frame to drink the water, i.e. wait 20 minutes after a meal, or have all you want before the meal, etc? Very interesting, thanks!

Original Post by dmartineau1:

The reason that I know for why "they" say that you are not supposed to drink water with meals is because of how the digestive system works. When you eat food your body produces acid to break down the food. Having water mixed in with the food makes it harder for the acid to break down the food, therefor, the body produce MORE acid. if you are always drinking water with your meals the body will think that it needs to produce more acid when it really doesn't. this can lead to acid reflux/heartburn.

I learned all of this in advanced anatomy so I'm pretty sure its correct? Hope it helps anyway

This is exactly what my nutritionist told me.  I never drink anything when I'm eating, but about 1/2 hour before I will drink a glass of water.

It is supposed to be best not to drink large amounts of water within 20/30 minutes of a meal depending on who you speak to. And don't forget that everything is good in moderation, if you're just taking small sips you should be fine. Most people need something to drink during a meal!

I drink lots of water but only between meals. I don't like to drink anything while I am eating.

Personally, I like to take a sip of human blood between every few bites.

Thanks for all your input (with the exception of andrewemry EWW!~)

I have found myself not wanting to drink as much water as I used to during meals before I started eating as healthfully as I am now. 

It could be as simple as getting more fluids through eating more vegetables.

I was hungry (stomach hunger) throughout the day during the first week of so of my resolution to eat better, but I don't get so hungry anymore.  Just a proper stomach hunger sets in about 1/2 hour before a meal now.

So, I think my body is agreeing to the new habits I've formed.

 

(Which, by the way, are: veggies at every meal (always including a "super vegetable" - broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, etc.), a few almonds and nuts on my cereal, 2 fruits a day, only whole grains, small servings of fish/lean meats/legumes for protein, low fat yogurt made with real sugar (ugh! to sweetners!), about 32 oz. of water in the AM and again in the PM, more with workouts, and an awesome dessert every weekend!)

Original Post by msheeran:

I have heard that it's supposed to be better for digestion by not drinking water, etc., while eating a meal.

Is this true?  Is there a difference in how our bodies process the food/ get nutrients?

 

 

My wife's dietician advised her not to drink water upto two hours after taking meals, however I think she is not right as most of her clients including my wife developed serious constipation, in fact it is advisable to drink a glass of water before meals and then another glass of water 20 mins after meals.

You may sip some water while eating to allow food to pass through oseophagus