What is the rule on drinking water at meal times? I read that water should be taken an hour after you eat. Reason being : it dilutes the digestive enzymes in the stomach which break down the food or something to that effect! My wife insists that my children drink water instead of juice (low in fructose ) with their meals.

You can drink water at any time, before, during or after a meal. Your wife has the right idea of ditch the fruit juice at mealtime and use water instead. You need to be sure that you are not dehydrated either. By the time that you feel thirsty you are actually dehydrated, believe it or not. Most people do not drink enough water during the day and are dehydrated causing all sorts of problems with their body.

Drinking water/beverages make you feel fuller faster and therefore you will eat less. Cold water/beverages gets absorbed by the body faster. Who wants to eat crackers like saltines, without liquid? Any takers?

Yes I have read drinking anything a half an hour before meals to an hour after meals dilutes your digestive enzymes. I have been trying to drink as little as possible with meals but it seems impossible to totally go without drinking anything. Also I have been eating sugar free yogurt and taking digestive enzymes to help with digestion.

Eating and Drinking Don't Mix- Natural Health Articles -Seeking Health

Tips For Better Digestion

National Hindu Students Forum (UK) - Eating the AYURVEDIC way

It is better to drink before or after you eat for the reasons that you gave. I think your wife is right about having your children drink water instead of juice after their meals because it is better to get them in the habit of drinking water as children because there are so many people who are not drinking any water and that is disastrous because our bodies need water.

I eat every 3 hours, 6 to 7 meals per day, each being 800+ calories. On top of that, I drink a gallon (4 litres) of water a day. I don't have ROOM to drink during meals. I find drinking takes up room in the gut. I always drink after my meals, and between.

But of course, some foods require you to drink while eating depending on their consistancy. I can't see someone eating a peanut butter sandwich without drinking...

If your wife is concerned that the kids aren't eating enough, or spending too much time at the table, then yes, try to get them to drink less during the meal and more after. And yes, stay away from the juice. It is unwanted calories during the meal and will cause the kids to fill up faster rather than have room to eat their food. Believe it or not, TOO MUCH juice can make them fat as well. The simple sugars in juice will cause a natural insulin spike...

Drinking water during after before meals, throughout the day, just drink it. I also agree with your wife, most fruit drinks are presweetend, or contain excess sugar or high fructose corn syrups and kids don't need it. I drink it all day long, it's just great for your body in general.