Is the Sunnah to drink before eating?
Question

                Is it Sunnah for a person to drink sips of water before eating food?.
Praise be to Allah.
      There is nothing in the Prophet’s Sunnah to indicate that 
      it is mustahabb to drink water or sips of water before eating food. 
      Perhaps the one who thought that that is Sunnah imagined it because it is 
      proven in the Sunnah that it is mustahabb to drink in three draughts. But 
      this is something other than what the questioner thought, because the fact 
      that that is mustahabb has nothing to do with eating food. It is the same 
      whether one drinks before or after eating or whilst eating, or in any 
      other situation; it is mustahabb for him to consume his drink in three 
      draughts. 

    It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased 
    with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah be 
    upon him) used to breathe three times when drinking, and he would say: “It 
    is more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome.” Narrated by Muslim 
    in his Saheeh (2028). 

    Ibn al-Qayyim said: What is meant by breathing whilst 
    drinking is moving the vessel away from the mouth and breathing outside of 
    it, then going back to drinking. Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/210. 

    There are great wisdom and important benefits in drinking in 
    this manner. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) drew 
    attention to them when he said: “It is more thirst-quenching, healthier and 
    more wholesome.” 

    Thirst-quenching means it is more hydrating and beneficial. 

    Healthier means it is better for one. 

    Wholesome means that it is healing; it relieves one from 
    intense thirst and sickness to which that may lead, because it comes to the 
    stomach in stages one after another; the second draught soothes that which 
    could not be soothed by the first, and the third soothes that which could 
    not be soothed by the second. 

    And it was said that wholesome means that it is free from any 
    disease or harm that may result from drinking in one draught. 

    See: Sharh Saheeh Muslim by al-Nawawi, 13/199 

    Ibn al-Qayyim said: One of the problems caused by drinking in 
    one draught is that there is a fear of choking, as the oesophagus may be 
    blocked by the large amount of liquid flowing through it. But if he breathes 
    slowly, then drinks, he will be safe from that. End quote. 

    Zad al-Ma’aad, 4/231 

    And Allah knows best.