Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Why can't we drink when we eat?



Recommended Posts

I'm having a hard time remembering not to drink during meals. I don't understand why. I have always had to keep my Water intake very high due to vaso-vagal symptoms (I faint if I get dehydrated) and I have such a strong need to sip water between bites of food. Is there a reason that I can't or shouldn't - why do I need to wait 30 mins after a meal to drink anything?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It liquifies the food you've eaten making it easier to consume more than the prescribed amounts, can cause faster gastric emptying and leaving you less satisfied which leads to more hunger/less satiety, and in turn, gives us more room to eat over our caloric goals for the day.

I was stringent about not eating and drinking simultaneously until I got to goal, and my capacity increased. I still do not drink with my meals. However, I do take small sips if necessary. I still do not start really drinking until 30 minutes after a meal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I posted this link on another thread but it's worth putting here as well. For anyone who's not sure why drinking with our food is a bad idea. Although we sleevers don't have a "pouch" as such, the logic still applies I think!

Drink and Eating Demo

I definitely regained 50lbs partly because I felt so hungry, which could have been because I started drinking while eating...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm having a hard time remembering not to drink during meals. I don't understand why. I have always had to keep my Water intake very high due to vaso-vagal symptoms (I faint if I get dehydrated) and I have such a strong need to sip Water between bites of food. Is there a reason that I can't or shouldn't - why do I need to wait 30 mins after a meal to drink anything?

I'm with you!! Four months out and one thing I still miss the most is drinking water with my meals. It is so hard, but I do not drink anything but an occasional sip here and there with meals. I only drank water with meals, but sometimes I could go through 2 or 3 glasses of water at a restaurant. It is easier now, but I still miss it. Hang in there...it is worth it in the long run...Kathe

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A really simple and straight forward demo! Thanks for posting! I will try to avoid even the little sips I sometimes take during meals.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I couldn't bear to not at least sip with meals. I haven't noticed that it effects my ability to eat. But that's just me. If I regain I'll take a look at anew.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The video is great for patients with a gastric bypass. They do not have a sphinctor muscle between their pouch and the intestinal connection so fluids will wash food through much more quickly.

Sleeve patients retain the pyloric sphinctor in all of its previous glory. There is no medical evidence that my doctor can finds that indicates that it suddenly quits working after a sleeve. That is, the muscle remains contracted until digestion is completed in the stomach and then opens for slow drainage into the intestine.

I honestly believe that sleevers can drink some liquids with impunity. I drink about a half a cup of liquid with meals and can tell no difference in the length of timebefore I get hungry again when compared to not drinking. I personally do not see any reason to give up drinking with meals. Neither does my doctor.

Each of us should listen carefully to our doctors instructions but doctors are not gods and (heaven forbid!) have been known to be falliable.

Just my 2 cents.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, I must be in the minority here because when I try to drink, even a sip during a meal, it just backs up into my throat and I feel like I will throw up. It definitely does not push my food through.

I am a little over 5 months and I still miss drinking while eating. That and eating slowly have been the toughest two things for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the same urge to drink too for the first 2 months, and well, i spent a LOT of time puking or what we like to call on here "GETTING SLIMED" .....i have now mostly gotten over the urge to drink and only vomit slime every once in a while when i forget to not drink....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

:PGreat video! thanks for posting!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ya know, I've read lots of theories on eating and drinking together and here's my experience. Drinking while eating doesn't increase my capacity to eat solid foods at all. In fact, unless I drink before eating it will actually make me more full. So if there's something good I really want to eat I will drink before the first bite so I can eat more of the food (steak usually because it doesn't keep well for leftovers). NOW let me say I don't normally drink and eat at the same time because on occasion it has made me feel yucky. So that's my experience!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just found this posting and I'm so glad I did!!! The video clears up all the questions I had about why I can't drink with meals!

Thanks so much!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×