Great move on the sodas. And yes, water before a meal is fine to reduce some appetite and get your system prepared for ingestion.
Water will dilute the digestive juices in the stomach and make them less effective.
People on a waiting list for a kidney transplant have to get their blood tested once a week.
If any alcohol, residue from cigarettes, or any detection of having SOFT DRINKS is found
the person is BOOTED OUT of the program and their name taken off the list.
Soft drinks put a terrible strain on the kidneys.