What do you eat before training?

I'm interested in what people eat preworkout just in general but mainly I'd like to know what is eaten before something really intense.

I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 3 times a week and a cardio conditioning workout on Saturdays. I'm doing a little experimenting of my own to figure out what will be enough to get me through training and what will be too heavy but I'd like some other thoughts.

So, what do you eat?

EDIT: I train immediately after work so I'm looking for more of a snack option.
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Replies

  • mumtoonegirl
    mumtoonegirl Posts: 586 Member
    dinner, I workout out in the evenings after my DD goes to bed. So I always have a sizable protein with every meal especially dinner, I have my load of veggies (at least 2-3 cups), I workout about an hour or so later and then have a good protein smoothie when I get home to recover.

    I do a lot of strength training.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    stimulants
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Either breakfast or lunch, depending on what time I work out that day. There's nothing special about it other than that I get a reasonable meal.
  • rahlpn
    rahlpn Posts: 551 Member
    Water. I get up at 4:15 AM to do Insanity. I drink water throughout too. Anything heavier and I think I'd throw up. I usually have a protien bar or milk/soymilk combo post workout on my way to work.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I don't eat before I workout. I get up at 4:30 am, and I'm generally working out by 5. I don't care for running on a full stomach, and I like to be able to "save" my calories for a nice breakfast and a morning snack. I don't mind lifting with food in me as much as cardio, but I just don't eat. 1 night a week, I'll eat dinner before getting in some "bonus" cardio while watching my girls' gymnastics classes (the gym has a little workout area in the balcony), but I don't always like it. When I used to go to evening hip hop classes, I hated feeling full.

    I will have a banana or toast or a protein shake if I wake up feeling extra hungry or just weak for some reason, but it's not a regular thing at all.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Nothing before my noon cardio sessions...I have an apple and some whey about an hour or so before I lift.
  • damorzacon
    damorzacon Posts: 124 Member
    I wish I could train in the morning or not long after a meal, energy/food wouldn't be an issue then. I leave work and go directly to my gym, train for about an hour and then I'm home just before 8pm. So I'm looking for suggestions to bridge lunch and dinner.

    I don't think I could make it through drills let alone sparring on an empty stomach. lol
  • alyhuggan
    alyhuggan Posts: 717 Member
    Nothing if I'm cutting or plenty of carbs around 1-2 hours before I train.
  • i usually go right before dinner, or an hour or so after lunch, so...
  • oldy76
    oldy76 Posts: 185 Member
    I train straight after work too. An hour before I leave I usually have an apple or banana with a protein shake and a few nuts for a blast of energy without the bulk.
  • vorgas
    vorgas Posts: 741 Member
    Im a big fan of protein shakes or workout/carb drinks. They arent heavy in the stomach, provide a good mix of protein/carbs, easily have 16 ounces of water, and can be mixed with sugar free syrups to provide lots of flavors. If I want extra nutrition I can add various fruits, milks, veggies, fiber powder, etc. Extremely versatile and easy.
  • cmorriss76
    cmorriss76 Posts: 3 Member
    Banana and a Nature Valley granola bar before I head to the pool.
  • SnicciFit
    SnicciFit Posts: 967 Member
    I workout right after work as well (CrossFit). I typically have something like chicken salad or tuna salad 1-2 hours before I workout.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    stimulants

    This.

    And Iuliamaddie. :wink:
  • thirstyflea
    thirstyflea Posts: 114 Member
    I work out after work in the evenings (around 5:30pm), so I always have a low sugar protein bar an hour before I go (with at least 15-20 g of protein). I find that apples, peanut butter, etc. don't give me sustainable energy for my workouts- I run out of steam and crash about half way though, especially if I'm doing weights.

    Experiment with different things though, see what keeps your energy up during your work out, I think we're all a little different.
  • skinnytayy
    skinnytayy Posts: 459
    Nothing ... I do Insanity and anytime I eat, even hours before, I end up sick during it. I drink water before & during then drink a post-workout shake immediately after.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    I like almonds and a piece of fruit, typically an apple, about 45min before I run.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Nothing. I train fasted after waking.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    whiskey
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    Nothing
  • joyjay4fun
    joyjay4fun Posts: 160
    Some peanuts or a banana. Both are quick and easy for me to grab along the way.
  • saverys_gal
    saverys_gal Posts: 808 Member
    I do my workout when I get home from work every day, so I have a snack around 3:30-4:30...today it's greek yogurt with granola and blackberries. I'll have some fruit or chocolate milk after my workout if it's going to be a while until dinner.
  • damorzacon
    damorzacon Posts: 124 Member
    Im a big fan of protein shakes or workout/carb drinks. They arent heavy in the stomach, provide a good mix of protein/carbs, easily have 16 ounces of water, and can be mixed with sugar free syrups to provide lots of flavors. If I want extra nutrition I can add various fruits, milks, veggies, fiber powder, etc. Extremely versatile and easy.

    This I haven't tried. I'll pick some up this weekend. Any one you like more than others?
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    1/2 banana. i eat breakfast and a protein shake right after my morning weight lifting sessions.
  • WarriorReady
    WarriorReady Posts: 571 Member
    I love a small bowl of cereal with milk as a snack about an hr to an hour and a half before a workout. Which doesn't happen often. Peanut butter with celery or a banana or apple are a good source or energy too. Or string cheese and an apple. Think a carb and a protein to help power you through. Also, this may sound gross but it really isn't bad... a half scoop of whey protein (any flavor), oatmeal, and about 2 Tbsp of water, mix together with some blueberries make into patties and freeze for a pre-workout or post workout snack. Good luck!
  • Mslibb
    Mslibb Posts: 69 Member
    I like to have a banana before my weekend workouts - the sugary energy hit is great and I can go much harder and longer than I could on an empty stomach or some other snack/meal.
  • ChangingAmanda
    ChangingAmanda Posts: 486 Member
    I wish I could train in the morning or not long after a meal, energy/food wouldn't be an issue then. I leave work and go directly to my gym, train for about an hour and then I'm home just before 8pm. So I'm looking for suggestions to bridge lunch and dinner.

    I don't think I could make it through drills let alone sparring on an empty stomach. lol

    I'm similar, work, gym, home & shower by 8pm. My current "workout" snack which I eat about an hour before is a half serving of dark chocolate M&Ms and half serving of lightly salted almonds. Maybe not the best use of calories, but other things I've tried (straight almonds, yogurt, cheese) tend to make me feel sick to my stomach. I do a cross-fit type circuit training class.
  • damorzacon
    damorzacon Posts: 124 Member
    whiskey

    Winner! lol
  • Energizer06
    Energizer06 Posts: 311 Member
    I do this!
    1 cup (227g) Fage 0% Greek yogurt
    1 packet of stevia
    37g Whey Isolate (Vanilla)
    1/2 cup strawberries

    Mix up first 3 ingredients until smooth and then add strawberries.
    1 hr prior to workout
    15 minutes prior VPX NO Pre Workout or any other stimulant you like.
    Drink tons of water
  • tinak33
    tinak33 Posts: 9,883 Member
    I work out first thing in the morning.
    I usually eat a banana, because if I don't eat I get really dizzy at the gym.
    It's not too heavy to give me side cramps or anything, but it has some carb and sugar to fuel my workout.

    I drink about 24oz of water during/after the workout. Protein shake as soon as I get home.