A good general rule of thumb for the 30 minute drinking rule

I see folks post often about whether the 30 minute rule applies in certain situations.

Here's a good general rule I live by. Even when I didn't feel "hunger" in any form, I pretended I did. Now...after any consumption where you do NOT want to be hungry again quickly, hold off on drinking.
So if your protein shake was meant to hold you for some time...don't drink for 30 minutes.

If you had a snack to hold you from lunch until dinner...don't drink for 30 minutes.

NOW...there are some who NEED to take in more calories and are advised by their surgeons to break this rule so conversely:

If you drink your protein shake and NEED to be hungry again soon so you can eat more, drink.

If you have a meal or snack and NEED to be able to have another within a short span of time, drink.

BUT do this only if your surgeon has advised you to. Not because YOU think you are losing too fast. No offense, but I know I am not the best decision maker in the world when it comes to food, and maybe just maybe you aren't either?

So there's how I determine when to drink and when to hold off. As you get further out, drinking after meals may in fact cause you to want food sooner. I personally wait about two hours after a meal to drink so that my meals remain spaced properly. That's about the amount of time it takes a good half of the food I've eaten to empty from my pouch. By the time I get down my required liquids...it's time to eat again!

I wanted to add that there is no reason not to drink right up until you're ready to eat, unless drinking makes you feel so full you won't be able to eat.  Otherwise, drink as much as you want before you eat.

Good point! I always drink right up to my meals. Well I stop about ten minutes prior so as not to get too full.

 Kelly...really?

Yeah, really.  What would be a reason not to?

I can't really think of one. But I like this thread.

Yeah the 30 minutes before rule doesn't really make much sense. Many disregard it. Liquids go through your pouch pretty quickly. Food does not, so long as you don't chase it with liquids. So there really isn't a reason why you can't drink right up to a meal.

Even my Nut tells us to drink up until 10 minutes before eating. To order water when you go out to eat, having a glass of water and sipping on that can help you keep your hands out of the bread basket.

Yes.... but then when the food arrives, ask the server to take the water away!

Lora

Thanks Nik and Kelly. This really helps to simplify the whole 30 minutes thing.