When to Eat (And What Digests Fast)

GillianLF

Hey guys,

Given my lifestyle I try to fit a workout into my schedule during my lunch break. I'm a member of a gym 2 minutes walk from my desk so its very handy, plus I can go for a run.

The issue I have is come lunch time I'm hungry! I have tried to start having a snack around 11 but haven't quite found the right foods. I've never been one of these people who can go to the gym in the am and then get breakfast.

My questions are: Can you / Should you train yourself to work out on an empty stomach? If not how long before a workout should you eat? If you need to eat about 60 minutes before a workout what would be the best food to eat?

Generally my workouts are circuit training, hiit workouts, weight lifting in the gym, running and spinning.

Thanks!

hamlet1222

I think you have to keep experimenting on yourself to find what works best. For me I find 100 calories of porridge about 1-2 hours before means I have energy to work out, but don't feel stuffed. For this reason I keep some oats at work which I mix in a cup with water and have about 1 hour before I go home (and I workout when I get home). Things like apples I find are useless, I feel hungry again very quickly. Bananas can work though.

GillianLF

Thanks @hamlet1222, actually I used to have porridge about 90 minutes before a race (made with water) and it was ok. You're right about the experimenting though, I have got to find something that works for me.
I believe a lot of it is psychological too (well with me anyway)!

ajcsviper

When working out legs or heavy upper body day I usually eat a cup of oats and banana 2 hours prior to working out. I would not eat right before a workout unless it's a shake(fast digesting). You don't want all the blood focusing on digestion rather than your muscles.

piperdown44

I've got to have something in me before a workout. Not too soon but not too early. I normally have a greek yogurt about 10 am and my workout time is 11:15ish. For me about an hour to hour and 15 mins works well. If I forget my yogurt (or ran out and didn't make it to the store) I keep a couple of Cliff bars for emergency purposes. Chocolate chip brownie and I'll eat half of one at 10am to get ready for my workout.

robertw486

I often hit the elliptical or bike after not having eaten for a good 8-10 hours, and on less than rare occasions I do it after having eaten little in maybe 12-15 hours. I tend to eat the majority of my food later in the day. Other than coffee and maybe a bagel or something I often don't eat until dinner time.