Which drinks are best with meals?

Posted on 11 December 2016

Eating and drinking go together like cheese and wine. But are some drinks better suited to mealtimes than others?

Dietician Lize Snyman of Mediclinic Kloof in Pretoria says that for most people, drinking with a meal is beneficial. Foods such as fruit and vegetables contain soluble fibre that requires fluid to hydrate it. ‘Fibre plays a crucial role in keeping our bowels regular, aiding weight loss and stabilising blood sugar,’ says Lize, ‘so drinking with a meal is good for anyone who wants to lose or maintain weight.’ In addition, water can flush out excess sugar. Since food is converted to sugar in the digestive process and the excess sugar is stored as fat, drinking water is helpful for sustained energy, weight control and diabetes.

When should you not eat and drink together?

However, there are some instances when drinking with a meal is to be avoided. Heartburn sufferers should not drink and eat at the same time because it can exacerbate the problem. ‘Your stomach is like a plastic bag with an elastic band around the top,’ Lize explains. ‘If you fill it with food and liquid at the same time, you run the risk of an overflow that’ll cause reflux.’ It’s recommended that people who get heartburn avoid drinking for 20 minutes before and after a meal.

The wonders of water

It’s no surprise that the best drink to accompany a meal is water. It’s kilojoule-, sugar-, alcohol- and caffeine-free – plus it’s hydrating. Proper hydration is vital for overall health and digestion, so try to drink some water before, during or after a meal. Herbal tea can also be beneficial.

What else is good to drink?

‘It’s fine to drink something other than water with a meal, but there are some considerations to take into account,’ Lize cautions.

Wine and beer

Alcohol stimulates the release of gastric acid so it can aid digestion, but it’s not essential. The average person produces up to three litres of gastric juices (containing gastric acid) a day. If you have a stomach ulcer you should avoid drinking alcohol, because excessive stomach acid will worsen the condition.

The recommended guideline for drinking alcohol is two drinks daily for men and one for women. Alcohol inhibits the absorption of B vitamins and zinc, so it’s a good idea to dilute drinks to reduce overall kilojoule and alcohol intake. For example, a wine spritzer is better than a glass of wine.

Soft drinks

If you want a flavoured beverage, sugar-free squash is the best choice, followed by sugar-free sodas. Fruit juice is generally not advised because it’s high in sugar. However, if you’re iron-deficient, drinking diluted juices high in vitamin C – such as orange juice – will aid iron absorption provided it accompanies a meal rich in iron, especially heme iron, which comes from animal-based foods.

Milk

Milk is a liquid food. Children often want milk with a meal but should be encouraged to eat their food first and have a glass of milk afterwards, otherwise the milk can spoil their appetites.

Tea and coffee

Tea and coffee contain tannins, known for reducing iron absorption.

Caffeine-containing beverages such as tea and coffee affect calcium levels negatively, because drinking them is linked to a lower intake of calcium-containing drinks. Caffeine also acts as a mild diuretic, which can lead to an increased loss of water-soluble vitamins such as B vitamins, so consider that cuppa after supper carefully.