Do you think we should avoid drinking water with our meals?

According to traditional Chinese medicine, Yes, you should not drink COLD water during a meal. Their concept is that the digestive system is basic yang energy and as so creates heat. So constantly drinking cool water is like dousing the fire you are trying to cook on.
Try eating slower, more mindfully. You will enjoy it more, you will be full faster, and you may not create such a desire to wash it all down. Also, if you like ginger, occasionally eat a little during your meal to cleanse the pallet and to aid digestion.

Never! If just for the sake of digestion!

No. Just don't slurp and gulp ... be sensible. Pause, swallow, sip and enjoy the occasion.

Donna

You should drink 8 - 9 cups of water throughout the day. When you have your meal, I always suggest eating a small portion of that meal (healthy balance, low carbs and sugars), and then drink an 8 oz glance right after you eat. It will help you feel full faster and you will not have the urge to have seconds or dessert!

No. But depending on how much one drink, it can dissolve the gastric enzime in the stomac and delay diggestion.

I truly don't know the pros and cons of drinking water or for that matter fresh vegetable juice with a meal. I know culturally, many people drink water with a meal to cleanse their palate, some use it as a means to eat less. I think it is more important to eat healthfully and stay hydrated.

No. Avoidance is not the answer. In fact, Water should be encouraged with every meal. Keep it room temperature and connsume it in moderation throughout the meal.

I would much rather a client had water all day and avoided drinks with sodium. I'm a big stickler about sodium intake. Most Americans, in my opinion, get way too much sodium. It's amazing how much healthier some people might be if they just switched to water. I don't ever offer recommendations, because my certification doesn't allow that, but I can tell you that water and the occasional glass of something else (orange juice, fruit juice, green tea, all diluted with water) is all I drink.

Water is good for helping your mouth return to a neutral pH after consuming eating or drinking anything. Chewing sugarfree gum is also good as it stimulates saliva and the enzymes that are responsible for balancing pH in your mouth.