Why I Stopped Drinking Water With Meals

The easiest of gut health tips coming in HOT today:

STOP DRINKING TONS OF WATER WITH YOUR MEALS! 💦🙅‍♀️

I know, I know – this sounds like the opposite of everything we’ve been told – “stay hydrated!”, “drink more water!”, but here’s the real deal:

When you flood your stomach with water during meals, you’re essentially diluting all those precious digestive enzymes and stomach acid your body needs to break down food properly. It’s like adding water to a pot of simmering sauce right before serving – you’ll end up with a weaker, and less yummy result.

Since I stopped chugging water with meals, my bloating has gone way down, and I’m def getting more out of my food… more nutrients, more vitamins, all the good stuff. WIN-WIN!

Side note: I’m pretty sure my past “diet brain” was secretly chugging water to feel fuller and eat less food… but that’s a whole therapy session for another email! 😅 Anyone else’s dieting past try to trick them like this??

Here’s what happens when you drink too much during meals:

• Your stomach acid becomes diluted (we need that acid to break down proteins!)
• Digestion slows waaaaay down
• Food sits in your stomach longer (hello, bloating and discomfort)
• Nutrients aren’t absorbed as efficiently
• You’re more likely to experience acid reflux (the opposite of what you’d expect!)

Have you ever noticed how many traditional cultures serve only small cups of tea with meals instead of giant glasses of ice water? They’ve been onto something for centuries. In Japan, they sip small amounts of green tea. In China, warm tea throughout the meal. In Italy, a small glass of wine. In India, small cups of lassi. These traditions aaren’t random – they’re based on centuries of wisdom about how our bodies actually work!

What I do instead (and what’s working MAGIC for my gut health):

• Hydrate well 20-30 minutes BEFORE meals
• Take small sips during meals if needed
• Wait about 30-45 minutes AFTER eating to drink more water (a goal, don’t make yourself nutso over this)
• Swap ice water for room temp water or warm herbal tea with meals if I need something

The first few days feel weird (we’re SO conditioned to have a big drink with meals!), but then your body adjusts and it becomes second nature.

Give it a shot for just three days, then let me know if you notice a difference. 

PS. We have just 2 more mini-group coaching call spots left when you join Hot Mama at the special rate this month! Sign up here lovely.