Eat Before or After Workout

Lsng4good

This is a question I have had for years. Should I eat before or after the gym?

bethann1976

I feel sluggish if I eat before. I think it's just personal preference?

murf19

I like to eat after.

RedHotRunner

Agree that it's a personal preference. I eat after too.

audreyyrose

you should have a light snack with some carbs (think a piece of fruit) about 30 minutes before working out (for energy).
and you should have something high-protein immediately after (to rebuild your muscles) :]

kimmerroze

depends, I don't eat right before so I eat abotu 1 1/2 hours before(usually small and high carbs), because then I don't feel too full or uncomfortable then I eat a small meal after after working out (always protein I like 3 soft boiled eggs) because itgives your muscles nutrition to help repair them.

ngr1973

I eat after ... but I make sure I've eaten something a few hours before I work out so its not on an empty stomach. otherwise I feel sick.

Aimee_PD

im a morning exerciser and for me, i have to eat before my workout because i dont do well with exercise and drinking on an empty stomach and i drink plenty water while exercising so for me i eat breakfast before (not a heavy one) and maybe a protein shake or fruit after..i usually space it out evenly between breakfast and lunch

chantalicious

If I workout in the morning I don't eat before because I'm starving after my workout. If I wokout in the afternoon I will have a snack before for the energy boost!

chantalicious

If I workout in the morning I don't eat before because I'm starving after my workout. If I wokout in the afternoon I will have a snack before for the energy boost!

NightOwl1

I eat before if I haven't eaten in a while, because I want to make sure I have enough energy. I almost always eat afterwards, especially if I do anything that involves building muscle. Getting protein as soon as you can after your workout definitely helps.

Nikayla11209

I highly agree about eating like fruit or something before and then high protein after, it might sound odd but if you drink a little bit of chocolate milk after a work out you recover a lot faster!

justmegan82

I've heard to eat a small carb snack before a workout. I can understand needing to do that because I feel like I might pass out if my stomach is empty while I workout! Don't stuff yourself, of course, but something small couldn't hurt.

Also, I've heard that having protein immediately after a workout is good for you. I've also heard that drinking chocolate milk after weight training is helpful for recovery.

I listen to the Get Fit Guy podcast (it's on www.quickanddirtytips.com) and he answers A LOT of questions like these. LOTS of good information. The Nutrition Diva is also really good.

anubis609

I do both. I'll eat something light about an hour before, then have a recovery meal right after. Nothin' wrong with it for me.

shanolap

It depends on the time of day for me. If I am doing a morning workout, I can hardly eat. So maybe 1/2 a banana or a protein shake. If my workout is in the evening then I have to eat. I mainly workout after work and usually eat 200 calories 30-45 minutes before. I like 1/2 cup brown rice and 2-3 ounces grilled chicken. If I don't eat a blend of protein and carbs I lose my momentum halfway through my workout.

Good luck!

Skye76

The quick answer? Whenever you want to. If you feel low-energy during your workout, eat before. If you feel nauseous working out with food in your stomach, eat afterwards. If you're attempting to build muscle, just make sure you have some source of protein within an hour of your workout (before or after).

♥Violette♥4Ever♥

you should have a light snack with some carbs (think a piece of fruit) about 30 minutes before working out (for energy).
and you should have something high-protein immediately after (to rebuild your muscles) :]

This is what I do.

RiverRatChick

Depends on what your workout is I guess. I do Insanity and without a snack beforehand I would probably not have the energy to complete the workouts to the best of my ability. Therefore, I eat a light PB&J 1.5 - 2 hours before I workout. Works every time. Whole wheat bread, 1 tblsp organic PB, 1 tsp reduced sugar jelly. Delish!

PeterBuilt09

I do both I eat a small portion of protien and a complex carb like oatmeal to fuel me through my training then I replenish my carbs afterwards and take in about 50grams of protien

AmeMahoney

Both, definitely. 5-6 small meals a day, and you'll do both anyway. Put your workout right in between 2 meals.

chrisdavey

both

See http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/puzzle_1.htm
and
http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/puzzle_2.htm

Murdog

In Boot Camp, I didn't have a choice but to eat before our PT sessions. It didn't seem to bother me back then. But, now?? I can't even think about eating before a workout--especially a run. So, definately--after.

KarenLouise1981

I always have a snack like a piece of fruit or a yoghurt in the morning as i find i get really light-headed and lethargic as my glucose dips. If training pm leave at least 1 1/2 hrs after eating to avoid stitches etc. I also find it really hard to run on a full stomach! Immediately after training i always have something high protein like boiled eggs or tinned tuna then cary on the day as normal.

Ally_Clare

I have to wait a few hours after eating a meal before exercise otherwise i dont feel well. Sometimes if im hungry though i'll eat a snack like a banana before i hit up the exercise. Usually i eat after though.

Natacia28

I like to eat a light snack before work out then another after

zorbaru

i will almost always eat after, although for me it depends on the impact of the workout.

tonight i have karate training so i will probably just eat a snack 1 - 2 hours before then eat dinner when i get home. if i ate dinner first i would probably vomit at training

on monday night i went for a bike ride on a full stomach and was fine.

JHoersten2

I eat my meals before. I easily get 2x the energy and results from the work out than if I wait until after.

yarinathan

you should have a light snack with some carbs (think a piece of fruit) about 30 minutes before working out (for energy).
and you should have something high-protein immediately after (to rebuild your muscles) :]

I agree!!! My all time fav is a piece of ww toast wit a smear of PB!!!! Then afterwards a protein shake! Makes for a great start to the day!