When to eat...

fiercelittlebird

I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, but I couldn't find it when I searched sooooo my question is, should I eat before my workout? I usually work out around 11 am 5 days a week. I work late nights so I'm usually not up before 10 am. I'm typically not hungry right when I wake up and so I'm not sure when I should eat. I read something a long time ago that said that studies show it's better to NOT eat before a workout, as it helps to burn fat, but I don't know. Any advice would be appreciated!

gmthisfeller

According to the fine folk at the Mayo Clinic eat after:

To help your muscles recover and to replace their glycogen stores, eat a meal that contains both protein and carbohydrates within two hours of your exercise session if possible. If you aren't hungry after your workout, drink juice or a sports drink to provide replenishing carbohydrates.

tyrsnbdr

For pure fat loss, not eating before you do some LISS cardio, is a great idea.

JenMc14

I don't think fasted workouts necessarily result in a ton more fat loss than exercise after a meal or a snack. If it does, I don't think it's any significant amount. I don't like the way I feel when I work out after eating a large meal. I work out at 5am, so I generally don't eat anything. Sometimes I might feel really hungry for some reason, and I'll have a quick snack. Go with what works for you. If you're fine, without, do it. If you feel weak during a workout, eat something. It really goes to personal preference.

icimani

My nutritionist tells me to eat some protein and maybe some complex carbs before and after my workouts. Part of her reasoning is to fuel your workout and then to refuel your body after your workout. I generally workout after my daytime job so I'm not getting home until at least 7pm, and eating the small snacks (~200 cals, ~10gm protein) keeps me from being really hungry and reaching for something that's not so healthy and calorie-dense.

aakaakaak

If you're finding yourself grinding down in your workouts you might want to eat some protein, creatine and caffeine. All three of these provide documented usefulness prior to a workout. However, if you're not having burnout issues its not exceptionally important for when you get your macronutrients, but how much you get per day.

Carbohydrates, as far as I have found on a few of the research study sites, do not assist you pre or post workout, but should be consumed throughout the day.

Fasting before you workout works for some people. They'll swear by it. But really, it's the calories in vs. calories out that help you win. The only real magic trick is the one every other winner uses: Calories in vs. calories out.

fiercelittlebird

I appreciate the feedback! I usually don't eat before work outs, and I haven't had any problems with keeping my energy up. I eat a meal high in protein, and higher in carbs then most other meals I have during the day.