Drinking with Meals

[BSquared 2]

I've seen a lot of things saying not to drink with meals. The reasoning I've seen is to avoid making you full on Water, so you can finish your meal.

If you're not having a problem in finishing your meal is there any down to a small amount of drinking while eating? (I don't mean chugging, closer to sipping water occasionally.)

[catwoman7 11,220]

the reason is so that the food stays in your stomach longer (liquids will flush it out). However, this makes more sense to me for bypass people rather than sleeve, since the pyloric valve is bypassed in RNY. Regardless, it seems to be a requirement for both surgeries.

[Stalled 32]

You can sip if you need to. It's not going to hurt you. Just try to stick to non-carbonated and non-alcoholic drinks.

[Hop_Scotch 1,632]

It not's just about feeling full, its also to avoid washing food out of your stomach too quickly which then stops you feeling the restriction that WLS is to suppose to bring.

I have an autoimmune issue, I don't produce a lot of saliva and have a very dry mouth. For the most part I don't have issues not drinking while eating and not drinking for 30 minutes after a meal. Sometimes I do need a small sip to help something be swallowed but the majority of the times I am fine.

You'd be surprised what new habits develop. 99% of the time, when I am at home and work I look at the time when I have finished my last bite of food, add 30 minutes and that's when my next drink is, even 18 months down the track. If I am out having dinner, I will likely have a few sips of wine while eating.

[Creekimp13 5,840]

It's always best to follow the advice of your doctor to the letter. For the first year, I tried very hard to follow the drinking with meals rule. I still took the occasional little sip, but tried hard to limit it. These days, if I'm honest, I drink with most meals. I don't drink the volume I used to. If I drink 2-4 ounces with a meal, this is a lot for me now. I used to drink a couple of glasses (of Water, soda, coffee, tea) at meals. Limiting fluids at meals becomes a habit. I have also heard that pushing the food through without it being mixed with enzymes properly or doing the initial digestive breakdown that nomally happens in the stomach can result in bloating, diarrhea, general digestive upset symptoms...which makes sense. Yes, limit fluids at mealtimes as much as possible. No, you're not gonna die or do terrible damage if you take a sip here and there. If you did....you'd never eat Soup again.

[ShoppGirl 5,003]

I wonder about drinking before meals. What people’s dr’s say and what the vets do. I know I have done this on accident a few times and nothing happened. I have drank with meals and I can feel it pushing the food down too fast but i can drink a whole glass right before I eat and it doesn’t bother me at all.

Edited September 13, 2021 by ShoppGirl

[WendyO 22]

I sometimes drink fluids with a meal, but usually just take a sip or 2. I do not think it would be a problem. Just be mindful of the amount.

[ms.sss 15,714]

Am almost 3 years out…i can drink right up to the second before i put solid food in my mouth, with no issues.

But I don’t drink while im eating nor for about 1/2 an hour after. If i did i would get overly full really fast and eventually barf.

…and when i eat broth based Soups with chunks in it, i slurp all the liquid first and then eat the chunks.

[Maisey 260]

I can drink up to beginning a meal. Then I stop until at least 1/2 hour afterwards. I have some unpleasant experiences if I don't.

[Arabesque 7,414]

My restriction kicks in pretty fast if I drink with my meal or close to before or after. I can drink a couple of sips up to a few minutes before I eat. It can be annoying because I love Soup but I do the reverse of @ms.sss. I eat a spoon or two of the broth, wait a few minutes, then work through eating all the chunky bits. I’ll sip more of the broth later on. Sometimes I’m sipping the broth an hour later (just microwave zap it to warm it up) or I just don’t finish it.

You just got to find out out what works for you.

[lizonaplane 1,613]

My surgeon says you can drink until you eat, then if you need a sip of Water to moisten your food/mouth, that is okay, but then no drinking till half an hour after.

I tried doing this a few times before surgery, and it was annoying as heck, but tolerable. I'm on liquids only till tomorrow, but once I start solid food tomorrow afternoon, I'll be waiting the half hour. Mostly because I'm afraid of barfing or feeling uncomfortable.