# Why do people tell you not to drink while you're eating? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 13, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090 "2011-12-13T22:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anonynomnom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b782af/32.png) [@Anonynomnom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonynomnom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/1 "2011-12-13T22:14:31Z")
It’s been said to me many time from my grandmother, and a few older friends. I’ve asked them to explain it, but it kind of falls short every time. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/2 "2011-12-13T22:26:11Z")
I have never heard this. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/3 "2011-12-13T22:34:38Z")
I have never heard it either. Does it mean literally not having anything including water at the table (very strange) or not swallowing with both food and liquid in your mouth at the same time (not so strange)? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/4 "2011-12-13T22:40:19Z")
Backwash? (I haven’t heard it either.) ---
**Author:** ![Anonynomnom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b782af/32.png) [@Anonynomnom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonynomnom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/5 "2011-12-13T22:52:56Z")
Well I did some of my own research and [Leaf Sri Lanka](http://www.leafsrilanka.org/leaf-sri-lanka/215-six-ways-to-counter-unnecessary-eating) said > [@](#): > > **Don’t drink while you eat** > > Virtually all people drink water, milk, soda, or alcohol to help them wash down their meals, but what this is actually doing is flushing the food through the belly much faster so individuals don’t get the feeling that they’re full until it’s too late and they’ve eaten way too much food. Try to eat a meal without drinking and notice how fast that awareness of being full comes. > > Drink a glass of water 15 minutes before you consume > > Another approach that plenty of weight loss professionals recommend is that you drink a glass of water 15 minutes before consuming. This will help folks reduce unnecessary eating because occasionally their mind gets mixed-up and doesn’t recognize that they’re actually thirsty and not hungry. Some other people had different ideas, but this makes the most sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/6 "2011-12-13T22:58:50Z")
I’ve also heard that it dilutes stomach acid and so affects digestion. But there’s just no way I can eat without drinking something, so it doesn’t really matter. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/7 "2011-12-13T23:37:06Z")
It was explained to me that if you don’t drink while eating your are forced to chew more thoroughly, and this gives you more time to feel full, thus eating less. ---
**Author:** ![Anonynomnom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b782af/32.png) [@Anonynomnom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonynomnom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/8 "2011-12-13T23:49:25Z")
I’ve heard both jackdavinci and Khadaji’s explanations. Some people say that the diluting of the stomach acid is sort of bunk(not true), so I’m not sure what to think about that without doing more research. Although, I can see how giving your self time to eat and feel full makes some sort of sense. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/9 "2011-12-14T00:21:34Z")
I’ve never heard of this either. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/10 "2011-12-14T01:05:45Z")
> [@Leaf Sri Lanka](#): > > Don’t drink while you eat > > Virtually all people drink water, milk, soda, or alcohol to help them wash down their meals, but what this is actually doing is flushing the food through the belly much faster so individuals don’t get the feeling that they’re full until it’s too late and they’ve eaten way too much food. Try to eat a meal without drinking and notice how fast that awareness of being full comes. > > Drink a glass of water 15 minutes before you consume > > Another approach that plenty of weight loss professionals recommend is that you drink a glass of water 15 minutes before consuming. This will help folks reduce unnecessary eating because occasionally their mind gets mixed-up and doesn’t recognize that they’re actually thirsty and not hungry. This is unmitigated nonsense in every possible way. The stomach works extremely efficiently to separate liquids and solids. Liquids do not flush the solids through faster. The liquids go through first and the solids stay to be broken down by the stomach acid (and some enzymes). In addition, liquids do not make you feel full faster. Precisely the opposite. People who have had stomach-shrinking surgery are told not to drink while eating because the liquids will stretch the smaller stomach and make you feel full before you can get a complete meal eaten. That would also be the reason why drinking before eating makes someone feel fuller. The mind doesn’t get mixed-up; the stomach is sending signals because of the stretching. I also had never heard anyone saying not to drink while you’re eating in any normal situation. There is no medical reason for it I can think of as long as you have a whole stomach. No wonder you couldn’t get a reason. ---
**Author:** ![Anonynomnom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b782af/32.png) [@Anonynomnom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonynomnom)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/11 "2011-12-14T01:20:16Z")
Good to know, thanks for helping to clear it up ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/12 "2011-12-14T01:24:30Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > This is unmitigated nonsense in every possible way. The site also contains gems of English prose like the following: > [@](#): > > A bosomy pulse heart rate monitor is usually intermittent heart defeat fee watching tendency that need the user to place 2 fingertips to acquire Type A pulse. This sort of monitor may measure heart rate all through 2 range. The 1st picks up the particular physical pattern signal the way the intuition creates together together making use of each defeat together with find out the middle fee, and the 2nd may be to stage the actual heartbeat via measuring single’s intuition suppress. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/13 "2011-12-14T01:27:24Z")
When I was a kid my mother told me off for drinking _too much_ fluid with my meal. Her explanation was “you’ll give yourself a float”. I have no idea what that means, though the implication is that the stomach contents would float to the top of the esophagus or something. Gross. I must ask her what she meant the next time I see her. ---
**Author:** ![Anonynomnom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b782af/32.png) [@Anonynomnom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonynomnom)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/14 "2011-12-14T02:07:30Z")
hahaha never heard that one, but I’m glad I am not alone in this. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/15 "2011-12-14T02:15:16Z")
I’ve never heard it, but I’ve read it several different times. The explanations are always different and never make sense, and it can always be traced back to someone who is either selling a book or giving inspirational speeches. In other words, it’s woo. It spreads because it’s an easy thing for someone to hear and apply. And by apply, I mean both follow personally and pontificate about smugly or authoritatively to others. It’s only use is to beat other people up with it. Unless it really is adding too much yin. (That was the first reason I ever heard.) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/16 "2011-12-14T06:41:22Z")
Just a WAG, but maybe it’s something some people would say because they think the drink would take up the room in your stomach for getting _as much_ food, (as in _finish your plate!_, nutritious food) as possible in. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/17 "2011-12-14T06:59:11Z")
This is going vaguely off-topic, but who here was told to chew each bite of their food some specific number of times, usually in the hundred-or-so range? If so, you were listening to the utterly stupid wisdom of [Horace Fletcher, the Great Masticator.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Fletcher) He died in 1919, way too interested in human feces and right before his ideas were replaced by the idea of calorie-counting (or, the theory that the human body is not a magic mass-energy-making machine). As Fletcher said, “Heaven will castigate those who don’t masticate”, leading me to conclude he completely misheard some of the most interesting sermons of his childhood. Anyway, the advice is looney and you got programmed by some idiot’s shambling zombie dogma. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/18 "2011-12-14T07:12:04Z")
So, I take it that soup would be a bad thing to eat? Or does the soup-making process somehow make the liquid OK? Chili? Gravy? Salad dressing? Heck, aren’t fruits and most vegetables mostly water? Are those bad to eat? I would never eat without water or some liquid at hand. I have had bad experiences nearly choking on dry food. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/19 "2011-12-14T07:32:10Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > In addition, liquids do not make you feel full faster. Precisely the opposite. People who have had stomach-shrinking surgery are told not to drink while eating because the liquids will stretch the smaller stomach and make you feel full before you can get a complete meal eaten. > > That would also be the reason why drinking before eating makes someone feel fuller. The mind doesn’t get mixed-up; the stomach is sending signals because of the stretching. Perhaps it’s just because I should be sleeping, but this makes no sense, you contradict yourself in these two paragraphs. I get the feeling there is a nuance to what you said that is going over my head. > [@](#): > > liquids do not make you feel full faster. > [@](#): > > the reason why drinking before eating makes someone feel fuller. So which is it? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090/20 "2011-12-14T07:38:23Z")
Originally Posted by Exapno Mapcase In addition, liquids do not **make you feel full faster**. Precisely the opposite. People who have had stomach-shrinking surgery are told not to drink while eating because the liquids will stretch the smaller stomach and **make you feel full before** you can get a complete meal eaten. (bolding mine) Isn’t this basically saying the exact same thing? 😕 How, exactly, is one “precisely the opposite” of the other? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-tell-you-not-to-drink-while-youre-eating/606090.md?page=2)