Watched the video on you tube explaining why we shouldn't drink while eating but my question is...if nutrients are absorbed in the intestines why can't we drink with food.

Never thought about asking why to my doctor...just curious.

Eat 4 OZ of protein than take a big gulp. You will have then answered your own question.

I drink while I eat and I haven't had any issues. I really tried to not drink and eat at the same time and this lasted maybe a month. Ultimately, maybe you will have better results if you follow the rules to the letter, but not being able to sip something while I eat for the rest of my life wasn't something I was willing to give up and it's worked out ok for me.

That being said, my doctor told me that the reason was that Fluid flushes food through your sleeve faster so you will be able to eat more, sooner, than would be the case if your food was allowed to digest without the help of extra fluid.

It is partly to help you feel full longer. Those of us who have done Weight Watchers have been brainwashed that drinking water while eating helps you feel full. Not true, at least for me. It washes the food thru too quickly for your brain to register that you've eaten. This is a hard habit to break but I started working on it pre-surgery and now I don't really think about it anymore. I'm not perfect, I sometimes eat cereal w/ milk as a treat or sip a glass of wine w/ dinner on the weekend but, in general I drink my beverage 1/2 hour before a meal. Looking back on my past behavior I realize that I used to drink a glass of milk or a cup of coffee w/ cookies or some other sweet food. It was a comforting behavior left over from my childhood that helped me feel temporarily calm and and breaking this one habit was a big change for me. Post surgery I find that drinking when I've eaten can be quite uncomfortable. So I sometimes wait an hour to drink anything after eating.

OW! been there, tried that but not on purpose. i just completely unconsciously took a drink of my kid's Water during dinner. OW. PAIN. major pain. didn't dissipate for an hour. won't try that again for a while, but i've heard from many in my support circle that they do drink small sips with food after about a year out.

FYI keep in mind that i am only 4 weeks post op!

Edited July 22, 201412 yr by mi75

I am 6 mths out and always have a coffee every morning with my breakfast. I am able to drink right upto I eat any meal, however I do tend to wait at least 15 mins after my evening meal, I think it's more cause I am full, have occasionally had a sip while eating - no issue, on the other hand I am not very good at followng the rules to a 'T'

I always thought the idea with drinking Water while on a diet was to drink BEFORE you ate so you wouldn't feel as hungry when you began eating. That actually did work for me prior to surgery. The problem was that I hated straight water - still do unfortunately.

In regards to drinking while eating.... I'm guilty. I don't drink nearly as much (I used to be the one that drank three sodas with my meal). Now it's just a few sips. That just wasn't something I could give up. Before I learned to gauge what I drink, it did come up a few times, but now I have a pretty good handle on where the limit is, so I don't have that issue.

For me, Water washes food down quickly. I realized how much I relied on this post-op. In order to eat a Chipotle burrito in the past, I always had to have water with me to aid in getting it down. Without that water, I would have ate less. I see it now too although it can be rather uncomfortable. The food just sits there almost in my throat (or so it seems) until I wait 30 minutes, by then it has moved, and I can have water. I realize I would have eaten way more if I drank while I ate.

But it's hard when out. That glass of water just sitting there!! It's hard not to slip up.