Eat before exercising?

FitSlimHappy

I'm not sure whether to eat before I exercise, I know you have to wait an hour beforehand anyway to let the food go down and that....
but is it best to have a meal afterwards or before?

Your help would be much appreciated!

melissakay1q

"Because glucose is the preferred energy source for most exercise, a pre-exercise meal should include foods that are high in carbohydrates and easy to digest. This include foods such as pasta, fruits, breads, energy bars and drinks."

Try toast with peanut butter before exercise.

Afterward, a banana or skim chocolate milk!

UponThisRock

It doesn't make a difference.

If you perform better by eating before, then do so. If you're hungry after, eat.

doughnutwretch

It varies person-to-person. I enjoy starved a.m. cardio and see the most benefits from it as opposed to having eaten before hand, but some people don't perform well if they haven't eaten. I won't do starved strength training as I notice strength depletion if I do so typically I do my strength training in the afternoon or evening after having eaten throughout the day.

In regards to eating after, I also eat usually 30 minutes to 1 hour after and make sure it's a good protein/carb balance. Many people will tell you meal timing is irrelevant, but your body depletes it's glucose stores while exercising intensely and carbs help to repuild those stores quickly while protein does so gradually. Again, it varies person-to-person so you will have to experiment until you figure out what works best for you.

ChanyRae

I personally can't do anything on a completely empty stomach! LOL But I cant work out on a full stomach either...I usually have a handful of nuts, a few crackers or a hard boiled egg before. I work out in the evening and usually eat dinner within an hour after my workout.

I think it's all just personal preference!