You wrote: "It seems to me like if you can swallow them whole it would be a whole lot easier and less nasty tasting lol."
It is a whole lot easier and less nasty tasting, I think the garlic breath is even less noticeable as it doesn't get a chance to saturate your tongue and inside of mouth. I just cut mine with a sharp knife, try not to "bruise" it as this releases it's healing powers on the cutting board instead of in you and with a couple sips of water down it goes.