What to eat before going to the gym?

Ariseld_1

I'm new to this.. What do you recommend to eat before going to the gym?

Elise4270

Depends on how hard your work out is. If I'm going to run or swim I eat carbs, oatmeal, banana, apple etc. For cardio carbs. At 45 minutes in- add a quick gulp of Gatorade or some sort of simple sugar.

Pre weight lifting-not my forte- but I might do amino acid supplement and Creatine, some sugar. Juice maybe. Not a lot.

Post work out-always protein and some complex carbs. Protein is key for building/rebuilding.

I'm sure there's more advice to come

arditarose

Whatever you want.

delyn356

I think it depends what you're doing & how intense. For me personally, I can't have too much to eat if I will be running unless I have 2hrs inbetween. If I'm doing other cardio, such as elliptical, then I will usually have something simple (toast with PB, fruit, or yogurt).

Usually if I work out in the mornings I tend to just wait til after to eat.

I think it'll be a little of trial and error--figure out what you need to help you get through your workouts.

NoelFigart1

I generally don't eat before I work out, but I do it first thing in the morning.

Ariseld_1

delyn356 wrote: »

I think it depends what you're doing & how intense. For me personally, I can't have too much to eat if I will be running unless I have 2hrs inbetween. If I'm doing other cardio, such as elliptical, then I will usually have something simple (toast with PB, fruit, or yogurt).

Usually if I work out in the mornings I tend to just wait til after to eat.

I think it'll be a little of trial and error--figure out what you need to help you get through your workouts.

Thank you !!

Ariseld_1

NoelFigart1 wrote: »

I generally don't eat before I work out, but I do it first thing in the morning.

I wish I can do this but I can't lol I'm be dying lol if I avoid food and get into a very intense work out '

yhealthy2000

A good rule to follow would be to eat a combination of healthy protein & carb. I would say about 250 - 300 calories is good; and eat 30 minutes before your workout begins. Eat a toast with cream cheese, an egg, and some fruit. Or, oatmeal with 1/4 cup walnut and 1/4 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 banana. Plus tea or coffee. Need that caffeine! You can add yogurt to breakfast also and can add milk. Breakfast, more than 250 - 300 calories, will slow you down during a vigourous workout.

Ariseld_1

yhealthy2000 wrote: »

A good rule to follow would be to eat a combination of healthy protein & carb. I would say about 250 - 300 calories is good; and eat 30 minutes before your workout begins. Eat a toast with cream cheese, an egg, and some fruit. Or, oatmeal with 1/4 cup walnut and 1/4 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 banana. Plus tea or coffee. Need that caffeine! You can add yogurt to breakfast also and can add milk. Breakfast, more than 250 - 300 calories, will slow you down during a vigourous workout.

Thanks !! I'm def keep this in mind! Very helpful !!

dbmata

something heavy and filling.

cityruss

Basically ignore anything anyone tells you, as with everything, it's personal choice.

I eat oats. Some people train fasted.

Whatever works for you.

olyjok

heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/Food-as-Fuel---Before-During-and-After-Workouts_UCM_436451_Article.jsp

hesn92

I have heard it's not good for your digestion to eat right before working out because then all your energy will go towards your work out and not digesting your food?? I have digestion troubles so I don't know. I think that's probably being a little over cautious. I usually need to eat a little something because I work out right after work and if I didn't have a snack I would starve. Typically I will eat a banana because it's easy

jhall260

It depends on what I am doing. I hate eating before the gym it makes me feel bloated and I don't get as good of a work out in. I tend to work out in the mornings so I just eat after. If I am doing a 1 hour or longer run I may have a banana on the way to the gym or something. After the gym it depends, I often make a shake before I leave the house for convince to eat on the way to work.

krisalexine

cityruss wrote: »

Basically ignore anything anyone tells you, as with everything, it's personal choice.

I eat oats. Some people train fasted.

Whatever works for you.

^^

I wish someone would've been so candid when I just started out. I've tried everything under the sun: oats, juices, oats and juices, nothing (fasted), pre-workout... I'm a little embarrassed to put how many pre-workouts I've tried.

Now I just have half of a banana 1 hour before I start and 1 cup of black coffee 15 minutes before I start.

And not knocking on anyone's personal choices, but training is training, regardless if it's cardio or lifting, so I think putting "depends on what I'm 'working out' that day" is a bit irrelevant. Your body needs fuel for both.

bebeisfit

You need to experiment with what works for you.. I could not go to the gym with nothing in my stomach. I go in the morning and usually eat oatmeal with raisins, walnuts and chia seeds along with a bit of milk. Oh and about 4 cups of black coffee.

I've also tried a piece of toast with avocado and tomatoes (I was out of milk & oatmeal) and I liked that a lot.. but I was a little hungry towards the end of my workout.

Try a small meal, but bring a banana to the gym just in case.

Ariseld_1

jhall260 wrote: »

It depends on what I am doing. I hate eating before the gym it makes me feel bloated and I don't get as good of a work out in. I tend to work out in the mornings so I just eat after. If I am doing a 1 hour or longer run I may have a banana on the way to the gym or something. After the gym it depends, I often make a shake before I leave the house for convince to eat on the way to work.

Any type of Shake? Or protein shake?
I'm not a huge fan of Shake but I'm trying my best to start making myself shakes in the morning

Ariseld_1

bebeisfit wrote: »

You need to experiment with what works for you.. I could not go to the gym with nothing in my stomach. I go in the morning and usually eat oatmeal with raisins, walnuts and chia seeds along with a bit of milk. Oh and about 4 cups of black coffee.

I've also tried a piece of toast with avocado and tomatoes (I was out of milk & oatmeal) and I liked that a lot.. but I was a little hungry towards the end of my workout.

Try a small meal, but bring a banana to the gym just in case.

Thanks! Very helpful!

Ariseld_1

Thanks you for all your awesome respond! Very helpful!!

FitPhillygirl

Usually I'll eat a Quest Protien bar before I go to the gym. I need the fuel to power my body through the 90+ minutes of weightlifting and cardio workout. I agree with what was posted above, that you should do what works best for you.

Ariseld_1

Eileen_S wrote: »

Usually I'll eat a Quest Protien bar before I go to the gym. I need the fuel to power my body through the 90+ minutes of weightlifting and cardio workout. I agree with what was posted above, that you should do what works best for you.

+ Thank for your respond! I should look into protein bars
+ Thanks!

kanamefujioka

Boiled egg....

gymbunny1_xo

I usually eat 2 weetabix with a cup of alpro almond milk, or else a smoothie (peach, handful blueberries and raspberries, half bannana) an hour before going - gives me great energy for the workout!

dbmata

krisalexine wrote: »

so I think putting "depends on what I'm 'working out' that day" is a bit irrelevant.

You're right, context is completely irrelevant.

Everyone should eat the same, be it a 3 hour steady state cardio session or a 35 minute PR focused lifting session.

Hearts_2015

olyjok wrote: »

heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/Food-as-Fuel---Before-During-and-After-Workouts_UCM_436451_Article.jsp

Definitely worth a read! Thanks for posting it

lenkearney

Banana if cardio, greek yogurt if weight training. usually an hour before.

Chocolate milk for post weight work

LiveForTheWilderness

Find what works for your body. Being keto-adapted, I do a pre-workout shake consisting of 2 scoops of Isopure protein, a tablespoon of coconut oil, a tsp of karo light syrup, and 8 ounces of coffee, with the rest of the shaker filled with water. Gets me through pretty intense 6 AM cardio and strength workouts.

jkwolly

krisalexine wrote: »

show previous quotes

cityruss wrote: »

Basically ignore anything anyone tells you, as with everything, it's personal choice.

I eat oats. Some people train fasted.

Whatever works for you.

And not knocking on anyone's personal choices, but training is training, regardless if it's cardio or lifting, so I think putting "depends on what I'm 'working out' that day" is a bit irrelevant. Your body needs fuel for both.

Nope, it totally depends per workout for me.

If I am doing a 10km run? Small breakfast an hour before, not too much in my belly plz.

Lifting? I could probably eat and lift and it would be fine.

Amitysk

I usually eat a half an english muffin with cream cheese and some smoked salmon about 1 hour pre-workout and then either a protein shake or just go right into lunch depending on the time.