To eat or not to eat before working out...

davispurcell
davispurcell Posts: 2 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys I've been reading a lot of different things on the internet about what/if you should eat before a morning workout and I am kinda confused about what to do. I have read that if you are trying to lose weight it is a good idea to not eat before you workout and to go on an empty stomach because then your body better accesses the fat to use for energy. I have also read that it is a bad idea to go workout without eating because the body will also begin to break down muscle along with fat to use for energy. If I am working out first thing in the morning and my goals are to lose fat and gain muscle what do you recommend I do?

Replies

  • spaingirl2011
    spaingirl2011 Posts: 763 Member
    Do what works for you. The basic equation is calories in versus calories out. I usually workout in the mornings so I'll eat a piece of toast and some peanut butter about 30 minutes before I go. It gives me energy to do the kind of workout I want to do. If I were to exercise right after getting up and not eating anything, I'd fizzle out. That's me. Either way, your body is going to burn calories, the question is really "will you have the energy to do the workout you want to do on an empty stomach?"

    Some people can't eat before they workout because it makes them feel sick. Again, it's really up to what you feel comfortable with.
  • bethannien
    bethannien Posts: 556 Member
    I agree, it's different for everyone. For me, I need to eat something with protien, like a hard boiled egg, within an hour of working out. Anything too fibrous can make me feel sick though if I eat it too close to working out
  • takumaku
    takumaku Posts: 352 Member
    It depends on how long your workout will be.

    If under an hour (including warm up), no premeal is necessary.

    If more than an hour, then 50g of quick digesting carbs (200 calories, high gi ... i.e. grits, cream of wheat, pop, etc.) for the 1st hour and additional carbs that you see fit there after. The goal is to have enough energy to meet your workout demand.


    For example, during my moderate runs (6 miles), I will usually eat a serving a grits or white rice 20 minutes before the run. If I can't before the run, I make sure to take some SweeTarts (hard version, pure glucose) and eat them while I'm running.

    My short runs (5k), I eat nothing, just a cup of coffee and my fish oil.
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  • davispurcell
    davispurcell Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks guys this is helpful.
  • paleojoe
    paleojoe Posts: 442 Member
    Whatever helps you get a better workout. Some people do better with a small meal before, some do better with nothing. Experiment and see what works for you. For me, I like to work out fasted... I just fell better.
  • wesleycneill
    wesleycneill Posts: 64 Member
    For overall body composition, it doesn't matter when you eat. Eat before and after. Eat one huge meal a day. Eat 25 small meals. It makes no difference to your body.

    The only thing that really matters is what gets you through the work out at top intensity. If you feel better with a meal or shake before or after, do it. It's totally up to you, but like I said, your body doesn't care as long as it gets the nutrients at some point in your day.

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