water and eating

[rawnutt]

I read in few books that we should stop drinking water 15-30 min prior to eating and wait 30min - 2hours30min before drinking again.

How is everyone applying this in reality?

[askcassyfirst]

On a general level, excess liquids in your belly can reduce the concentration of stomach acid and enzymes. Some nutritionists would recommend 4oz or less with meals.

Cold beverages, sugary drinks or carbonated liquid may reduce digestive function. Some liquids, however, can stimulate digestive action, or aid assimilation...ginger tea, warmer beverages, etc.

Best to use your body's reaction as a guide. Hope this helps.

-Cassy

[mstrish]

I haven't had fluids with meals in 4 years. I get weird looks when I tell people I never drink fluids with meals, but I like it for me and my body digest better.

[RawKnitster]

I feel best using those guidelines. I drink water 30 minutes before eating. After eating fruit I wait 30 minutes before drinking water, 60 minutes after eating concentrated fruit like bananas or dates. After a meal I wait a full 3 hours before drinking water or eating again.

I do make exceptions. Sometimes I have a cup of ginger tea an hour or two after a large meal. Also, I might have a little water if the meal is heavy with nuts or dehydrated foods. I also make an exception to the rule for social occasions.

[rawnutt]

I feel best using those guidelines. I drink water 30 minutes before eating. After eating fruit I wait 30 minutes before drinking water, 60 minutes after eating concentrated fruit like bananas or dates. After a meal I wait a full 3 hours before drinking water or eating again.

I do make exceptions. Sometimes I have a cup of ginger tea an hour or two after a large meal. Also, I might have a little water if the meal is heavy with nuts or dehydrated foods. I also make an exception to the rule for social occasions.


I kinda follow the same guide lines but what if you are in a very hot country and/or doing sports and sweating and get dehydrated
I suppose most of raw meal consists of 82% water so maybe that would help compensate a little.

[Humanist]

I never drink water, or anything else, because I never get thirsty. My food is mostly water. Why would I need more? I don't dehydrate my food or use salt.

[Raw Joy]

I drink if I'm thirsty. I don't if I'm not.

If I feel like water with a meal, I drink it. If I don't, I don't.

Don't really think about it one way or the other. Too much, minute planning for me. :)

[anniez]

I agree with strongjoy. I don't give it much thought. Our food has so much natural fluid that I find I don't need so much water. Because our meals are so juicy, I don't find much need to drink water.

Annie

[DeborahB]

I don't drink with my meals. I've practised this for so long that it feels strange to drink when I eat!

I usually drink about 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after eating.