Eating before or after workout?

Hi. so im just curious..is it better to eat a small meal or snack before a workout? or to workout on a (relatively) empty stomach and then eat a small meal/snack after a workout?
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Replies

  • I'm new at this also but i was told to try and eat an hour before your work out and than eat something protein or fruit and hour into your workout.. i hope it helps
  • zooles
    zooles Posts: 93 Member
    I hit up a protein shake before my workout. Afterward, eating is the last thing I want to do.
  • brentalanrhodes
    brentalanrhodes Posts: 82 Member
    I can tell a HUGE difference between a workout after a meal and a workout on an empty stomach. I have to have something on my stomach or I have no gas in the tank.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Doesn't really matter...individual preference. I can't really have much before a workout...maybe a bit of fruit or something 1/2 hour before. I have my whey protein after I lift...if I've had some fruit before the lift, I'll just have the whey after. If not, I'll have some fruit and the whey after.

    I do cardio on my lunch hour, so I at lunch right after I run. I lift in the evenings and have my little whey snack (and sometimes fruit) to aid in recovery, but also because I won't be having dinner for another 1.5 to 2 hrs or so.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Whatever is going to allow you to work the hardest for the duration of your workout. Some people do better on an empty stomach, some people need some food. It's all personal preference.
  • traceytwink
    traceytwink Posts: 538 Member
    I like to eat a snack before a workout, I've just had waffles with peanut butter and jam + an apple and when I get back I will have my dinner, everyone has their own way of doing things, listen to your body it's clever at letting you know what works for you ????
  • NutellaAddict
    NutellaAddict Posts: 1,258 Member
    I HAVE to eat before I workout. No matter if it is a run or I am lifting. Usually about 45 mins - 1 hr before. I also eat AFTER I workout, usually within 30 mins.
  • sarahmarieb36
    sarahmarieb36 Posts: 39 Member
    Thanks everyone. Definitely helps =)
  • SamanthaClarexo
    SamanthaClarexo Posts: 353 Member
    I eat my dinner, work out, and then load up on protein afterwards :drinker:
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    I go for some food about an hour before I work out. I can't stomach anything for several hours after my workouts though-- kills my appetite.
  • Julettashane
    Julettashane Posts: 723 Member
    i will eat something sometimes before my workout just something small but after my workout i eat dinner
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Eat before or after. Or both. Whatever gives you the most effective workout and is within your macronutrient guidelines.
  • evinjean
    evinjean Posts: 2
    I find when I've had a good carb before a workout it helps my performance more, but mostly I make sure to eat a good post workout meal.
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    Depends on the person, I cannot workout after eating - I want to vomit all over the place, and have actually had to stop a work out because I did actually throw up. After that episode I started working out on an empty stomach.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    I can tell a HUGE difference between a workout after a meal and a workout on an empty stomach. I have to have something on my stomach or I have no gas in the tank.

    my problem is if i eat before a workout i have too much gas in the tank and doing squats or ham extensions im worried about not having as much gas in the ol tank

    i split my meals up as follows

    breakfast - generally around 6:20-6:30am
    mid morning snack - pretzels - 9-30ish
    Lunch - 12:30
    Mid afternoon snack - granola bar - 2:30ish
    another snack - granola bar 4:30ish

    home from work - protein shake - 5:15
    go to gym and workout - 5:30
    leave gym with a peanutbutter fantasy shake - either 7 or 7:30pm

    tues and thurs i also play basketball from 8-10 so when i get home i have some popcorn
  • mmyers1129
    mmyers1129 Posts: 67 Member
    You should most def eat a something such a fruit light that will break down fast or pre work out supplement whey protein is also good as a pre work out it will give you energy to help you through your workout and eating high protein foods is not rec before working out because it take several hours for your body to break that down after you work out it is the most cruical time to eat regardless if you feel like it or not high protein then is essential because as soon as you are done your body starts to recover and rebuild itself and it will need that protein for the next 24 hours
  • etoiles_argentees
    etoiles_argentees Posts: 2,827 Member
    I eat before, nothing to heavy.
  • AmyMgetsfit
    AmyMgetsfit Posts: 636 Member
    I workout after I get up for the day. I usually have not had anything to eat since dinner the the day before. I need food before my workout. I have breakfast, catch up on the news and then ready for my workout. Plus the coffee at breakfast, gives me some extra energy.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    Both, but she needs to shower after the workout.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I can only work out well if I do it between 1-2 hours after eating. Then I have a shake after.
  • markymarrkk
    markymarrkk Posts: 495 Member
    I used to workout early morning (530am) on an empty stomach thinking I'd be burning more fat. Then after a few weeks I started wondering why I wasn't improving (running speed/endurance and weight training) and I would notice I couldn't hang after 3 sets. Then I started eating a banana, one slice of toast and a glass of milk before the gym and DAAMN what a difference. Longer runs, harder runs, more sets, higher reps, more weight. So ya.
  • fionahay
    fionahay Posts: 44
    If I don't have something before then my stomach growls the whole way through and I struggle for energy - both things are pretty demotivating and make for a poor work out.
  • skyfall87
    skyfall87 Posts: 4 Member
    You absolutely HAVE to eat! Nothing heavy or bad but something healthy (depending on when you work out)

    if you work out in the morning: *Fresh oatmeal (not the individual packets of oatmeal) (1 cup serving size) with cinnamon for flavor or blueberries (any fruit of your choice) drink some almond milk to go with it =) or *FRESH fruit smoothie (one cup serving size) if you can put half a fresh avocado in it, one scrambled egg with half a piece of toast

    if you work out in the evening or afternoon: *4 oz grilled chicken breast with 1 cup of broccoli & 1/2 cup of wild brown rice (measure a single serving for each item of food! I cannot stress the importance of this!!) or * 4oz fillet mignon, grilled asparagus, with 1/2 cup of brown wild rice or quinoa.

    Eat about an hour before your workout. Like someone said, gotta have gas in the tank or the car won't run. If you like to use shakes, I recommend Shakeology by Beach Body. It's a bit expensive but much better for you and it's very filling. =)

    Again I can't stress enough MEASURE YOUR PORTIONS!! Measuring cups, measuring spoons, you'll see much better results! And you'll see them the healthy way! Yes Starvation mode is real! Don't do that to your body! It's the only one you have! =)

    I've lost 30 lbs! Promise this works! =)

    Hope this helps!
  • crazybookworm
    crazybookworm Posts: 779 Member
    I HAVE to eat before I workout. No matter if it is a run or I am lifting. Usually about 45 mins - 1 hr before. I also eat AFTER I workout, usually within 30 mins.

    I do this as well. I usually workout about an 1 hour or so after Breakfast or lunch(depends on my schedule for the day) then I eat about 30 minutes after a workout. Usually just some Granola with some yogurt and berries or some sliced apple with peanut butter.
  • MizSaz
    MizSaz Posts: 445 Member
    I'm probably in the minority here, but I get VERY uncomfortable if I eat solid food at all before a workout. Like if it hasn't been completely digested, I get cramps and nausea.
  • dkmilton
    dkmilton Posts: 15 Member
    Your best bet is to experiment and see what works for you. I generally have to have a snack before I work out otherwise the workout is going to be awful... limited energy.. extra tired feeling. But for some people they just feel sick from eating beforehand.. you've got to see what works the best with your system.
  • LokiOfAsgard
    LokiOfAsgard Posts: 378 Member
    I have heard both way, so I guess it comes down to what works for you.
    I can't work out on an empty stomach, or I'll feel like I'm about to faint, but I can't work out right after eating, or I'll get sick. I need a middle lol
  • odddrums
    odddrums Posts: 342 Member
    I always try to have eaten something about an hour before a run or workout, otherwise I just get too tired by the time it's over, sometimes I can't even finish. Afterwards I'll drink a bunch of water, then eat some eggs or meat and maybe some bread and veggies [the only time I really eat carbs is after a workout]. I can't eat right after a workout usually, but after I clean up I'm usually hungry again.

    I'd say listen to your body. If you feel hungry before a workout have a little snack, a banana or orange or something. That's my rule in general: if you're hungry, you should eat! Crazy, I know...
  • Txracy
    Txracy Posts: 78
    I eat something 1-2 hours before I work out if it's cardio (If I eat RIGHT before cardio, I am liable to get ill and puke all over myself, LOL, so I need my food to have enough time to settle).

    On days I'm lifting, I sometimes eat WHILE I work out, LOL! Strength training and weight lifting makes me seriously hungry! I'm usually sipping a smoothie or shake between sets. Not sure if that's the "right" thing to do, but I'd shank anyone who took my shake from me!

    I also eat after I work out. But a lot of that has to do with me being at a huge deficit if I don't eat after my workouts. Increasing my calorie intake was a struggle at first, but now it seems like my body is catching up and I NEED to eat more. :happy:

    I would say that ultimately, it's up to the individual.

    I have tried working out on an empty stomach before, and I had no energy and it was a pathetic workout. But I have friends who manage just fine hitting the gym first thing without breakfast first.
  • gracielynn1011
    gracielynn1011 Posts: 726 Member
    I work out On an empty stomach. If I am hungry before a work out I get something small and light. I feel sick if I have anything big in my tummy during exercise. I have dinner about an hour or so after my workout.