Eating before working out

2012asv

Usually I eat after I workout, but there are times where I'm starving and if i don't eat i wont have energy to work out.... How long do you wait before doing so? Is it like they say, wait half an hour before swimming??

I don't really want to feel nauseated afterwards |

natini

I grab a quick energy bar and eat it on the way to the gym. I eat it about 20 minutes before my spin class. It gives me energy for the class. I use to not eat and I can tell a difference in my workout.

Chuckw40

I usually work out right after eating dinner and it doesn't bother me at all. I used to work out in the morning before eating and sometimes I felt like I was on the verge of puking.... I say try it out and see how you feel.

ericarae33

I eat a piece of toast with peanut butter 30-60 min before working out. If I don't eat first I feel sick while lifting. Then I eat after I work out, sometype of protien, a shake, eggs etc.

paeli

I usually workout after dinner, I leave usually an hour to an hour and a half (dinner is a big meal, I'm sure I'd need way less waiting after a snack!) before my workout. I find it harder to workout on an empty stomach and usually feel the hunger really gnawing at me if I work out in the morning or right after work before dinner. Whatever works best for each individual!

DecemberNick

Sounds like everyone is a bit different. If I'm strength training or doing cardio, I have something 45 minutes to an hour out. If I'm doing HIIT...well, it doesn't really matter cuz I end up feeling sick by the end but I've had some success with eating 1.5 hours before.

The other factor that helps me determine when I eat is what I'm eating and how much of it. I've experimented a bunch with this with somewhat predictable results. If I eat some carbs and protein, it digests fairly easily and I feel fine during my workout. If I have something heavier or with significant fat content, I'll feel some of it sloshing around by the time I hit the gym.

Typical pre-gym snacks for me can be rice cakes, granola/breakfast bars, apples, oranges or yogurt (fat free). I usually have 8-16oz of water too.

cindywomack1

It varies by person. I eat a cup of unsweetend applesauce with a Tbls of flax seed meal and a tsp of agave, and drink my protein 1 hour before my workout. Then on the drive into the gym, I sometimes eat a protein bar. My workouts usually last about 2 hours and this is the perfect combo for me on intense workout days.

I can't do peanut butter or dairy as I constantly burp them up or feel nauseous.

My husband eats a big bowl of oatmeal, drinks a huge protein shake, and eats a granny smith apple right before his weekend workouts.

Just play around a bit and you will figure out what works best for you.

thinnerisstronger

It's different for everyone. I usually have a small snack about 30-60 minutes before I exercise. Just do some trial & error to find what works for you

katie133

I grab a quick energy bar and eat it on the way to the gym. I eat it about 20 minutes before my spin class. It gives me energy for the class. I use to not eat and I can tell a difference in my workout.

^^ I do this too..and agree that i have more energy.. i usually eat a cliff bar before the gym, or a banana

char982

I too work out after dinner and feel fine. When I don't eat before an evening workout is when I feel nauseous, ravenous, or just don't perform well. My dinner is pretty light, so by the time I start working out about 45 min later I feel fine.

I have noticed that when I work out on Saturday morning I don't always eat first, but I don't feel nauseous after either. Nor do I feel very hungry. I wonder why that is.

reedkaus

it varies on the person. i would experiment a little bit, just don't eat a done before you go in where you feel so full you can't move. but there have been plenty of times that i've been in the same situation and i just grab something quick and has some good carbs and protein

cyclerjenn

I usually eat a peanut butter and honey sandwich on wheat toast about 1 hour before I hop on my bike to ride to work. Followed by a protien shake after I finish getting cleaned up at work. Just the right mix to get me through the morning.