Do you eat before or after you workout?

jenniferb_00
jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
in Fitness and Exercise
I pretty much just started actually working out (about 3-4 weeks ago) and i'm never sure if i should eat before or after, or if there is really a difference, or if its just a matter of preference.

Replies

  • mayonie1
    mayonie1 Posts: 296 Member
    I just figure our that I must have Little something even if its a fruit 30mins before workout...I dont have much Energy once I exercise on an empty stomach.
  • RhineDHP
    RhineDHP Posts: 1,025 Member
    I usually eat something small but dense before a workout, like a boiled egg, and then after I get back from the gym I'll have something like chicken or any kind of protein. But then again, I work out in the afternoon-night hours, so if you're an early morning goer, your preference might not be something so filling.

    I think as long as you're able to complete a workout without passing out (as I've seen the case with some people -- not all -- not eating anything beforehand), you can eat whenever. A lot of people do recommend eating something high in protein right after a workout to help with the muscles and such.
  • HeyGoRun
    HeyGoRun Posts: 550 Member
    I make sure i have had something light 1 hour before and eat something withing 45min after a workout, or else i go blind and cant sleep good.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    After.
  • Cyclingbonnie
    Cyclingbonnie Posts: 413 Member
    Both, generally more after than before, but fully fueled and fully refueled :laugh:
  • doubleohstatus
    doubleohstatus Posts: 37
    I usually grab a banana or apple before the workout and then have a meal about 30-60 mins after the workout.
  • retrobyte
    retrobyte Posts: 169 Member
    Something light around an hour before the workout, and a real meal within an hour after the workout
  • FitGuyWillDoIt
    FitGuyWillDoIt Posts: 111 Member
    I don't eat anything heavy before my workout. Sometimes I will have something up to an hour before but it's usually juice to keep my blood sugar up if it's been a long day. Water throughout the day always keeps me fresh and ready to go by the time my workout comes around.
  • TheEffort
    TheEffort Posts: 1,028 Member
    I workout first thing in the morning and eat within an hour after.
  • tonynguyen75
    tonynguyen75 Posts: 418 Member
    If I eat before I work out, I make sure it's at least 2 hours before my workout. Too much food in my tummy during my workout makes me want to puke when I do my end of session cardio.

    I can eat right after or an hour after it doesn't matter to me. I'm not one of those 30 minute anabolic window guys. =\
  • laurenwhit279
    laurenwhit279 Posts: 3
    I eat a small something before. Usually a banana, sometimes it's toast with a little bit of peanut butter. I find I don't do as well when I exercise on an empty stomach, but I don't want to eat too much before either. Then afterwards i'll usually have a smoothie and then eat lunch an hour or two later.
  • newmelady
    newmelady Posts: 132 Member
    I eat something before my workout like banana/ egg white/ milk/ coffee.............. sometimes any two.
    Since I am new to exercising, I feel easily tired and hence need energy food before workout.
    I exercise before lunch................so I have a shower and lunch after workout.
    It is working for me.
  • Ejourneys
    Ejourneys Posts: 1,603 Member
    I exercise late in the evening and usually have a small but dense amount of food about an hour before my workout -- tends to be four slices of crispbread if my body wants carbs or a half-cup of unsalted peanuts if it wants protein/fat. My typical after-workout food is two cups of grapes.
  • Ivey05131980
    Ivey05131980 Posts: 1,118 Member
    After. Depending on the workout, there is no way I could eat first....I would be miserable! Eat a light snack first if it's high intensity, like cardio and bigger meal after.
  • dynamitegalxo
    dynamitegalxo Posts: 299 Member
    i work out right after i wake up and before i eat breakfast. i feel best throughout the day when i do it that way.
  • beverlyann1726
    beverlyann1726 Posts: 31 Member
    I've learned that it's best to eat AFTER you workout. I've read that you should wait at least two hours after you eat before you workout. Food is fuel, and if you work out immediately after eating, you're just burning off the calories that you just ate, instead of the stored fat in your body.
  • KenishaFitness
    KenishaFitness Posts: 161 Member
    I eat before & after my workout. I eat something small to give me a boost of energy & then I eat after my workout. My workout be pretty intense depending on the days...

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