Drinking and Eating together....what do YOU think???

Hi there Gang! OK, ever since our surgeries, we were told of the evils of eating and drinking together, and all of the associated reasons why we shouldn't do it. And in retrospect, all of those reasons that were given to us really do make good sense. However, since I am in the maintenance phase of my new life (got past my goal in early 2005), I have always been a little bit "loose" on this subject. For example, when eating a piece of grilled chicken, if my mouth or throat got a bit too dry, I would take the TINIEST LITTLE SIP of water with lemon, just enough to "wet" things back to being comfortable. I always differentiated this from actually drinking mouthfuls of liquid with a meal. Now, all over the internet, more and more studies are being done with post RNY folks who eat & drink together. And now, people are being told to avoid the following foods as POOR choices: Soups and Sauces Stews Cereal & Milk Heck, this list goes on and on, so I won't bore you with it now. What I will say is that this got me thinking, as I was sitting here actually enjoying my lunch. Today, I was having a frozen Smart Ones entree - the Turkey Medallions with Green Beans. This is a great frozen meal, the portion is just right, there is 18 grams of protein, and 9 carbs (from the green beans), all packed into 200 delicious, nutritious calories. The snafu? The fact that the turkey is covered in low-fat mushroom gravy, and the green beans are in a very light (but liquidy) sauce. As delicious as this meal is, how would you consider it? Do you think that foods (proteins) when served with gravy is similar to eating and drinking? How about the green beans? Now, again, I am not as much of a stickler on this issue, since I am still well below goal, and actually trying to gain a bit of weight. But some folks would be shaking their fingers at me and telling me that this was "not compliant". How do you feel? My main reason for asking this, is quite simply that I am truly interested in what other people feel and think about this issue. I already know where I stand - but I think it is an interesting topic. For example - HEAVEN FORBID, I actually ENJOY having 1 cup of Hi-Lo Soy Protein Cereal covered in 1 cup of Chocolate Low-Fat Soy Milk. Amazing protein, super low carb - but yes, VERY liquidy. Am I "breaking the law" so to speak? I am sure there will be a variety of opinions on this topic. And, of course, I think a lot of it also has to do with what particular stage of the surgery/journey that you are on. I think that someone who is at goal and on maintenance will handle this a lot differently than someone who is still in their losing stages and is trying to get closer to their goals. So, there you have it! What do YOU think about this, and how do YOU define "eating and drinking"..... Have a great day, everyone! - Mike --------------------------- Starting Weight: 408 Original Goal: 220 Current Weight: 158 Life is GOOD! ---------------------------

Eating and drinking at the same time is not a problem for those of us with the DS or the vertical gastrectomy. I am not sure about the lap-band, but I think this is mostly just an RNY thing. But if you are below goal it shouldn't be a problem anyway--go for it!

i'm not quite 10 months out and i drink with my meals all the time. i don't think i ever really stopped, lol!! (and i've lost 122 pounds and am 9 more away from my goal so i'm not really too worried about breaking the rules ;~)

Dude! You are rockin' with your weight loss--a BIG congrats to you---that is so very awesome!! Well, about the eating and drinking thing--its a big no-no for us lap-banders--it's one of our rules. But, it makes NO SENSE to me why something like soup is OK to eat. For instance, something like chicken noodle soup is SOOO food AND liquid--duh! My confusion also applies to the foods listed above--cereal and milk, etc. I never quite fully understood anyway why this rule exists (even though I follow it). I first thought it was so that food stays in our "pouches" longer and doesnt wash through, but I'm realizing that food doesnt stay there that long--certainly not the 30 minutes I have to wait before I can drink something. In your case I think that by now you have probably found what works best for you--and you are obviously doing things right. BUT, if you wanted to test the waters (if you havent already), i say go for it and see if it makes any bit of a difference. thats my 2 cents. ciao jen

Mike, Not sure I will be a lot of help here. I am a revision, so I have an RNY pouch and the rest of my works are DS. If I tried to follow both the rules for the two...I would be in a push me pull me state of mind. in truth, since I first had the RNY, if I try to drink it fills up my stomach and makes me sick. It sure seems to me that you are doing a great job...give it a try, you'll find out soon one way or the other if it will work for you are not. Lori