What's the Best Time to Eat?

shawnthezombie
shawnthezombie Posts: 4 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I try to set up my meals around my exercise when possible. So, here is my question.

is it better to eat before or after exercise?

my rationale is that it is better to eat after because your body is still churning from exercise and your metabolism is already amped up.

just curious if there is a cut and dry right answer.

Replies

  • spmcavoy1
    spmcavoy1 Posts: 60 Member
    I have trouble eating too close to my exercise time - if I do it's usually a very light snack.

    I am a morning worker-outer (read: I get there btw 5:15 and 5:45 am) so I'll have a few sips of milk and a half of a banana. Sometimes, if I need a boost, I'll use a packet of crystal light "energy" in my jumbo water bottle.

    If I eat too much, I get cramps, feel nauseous and usually have to cut my workout short.
  • oc1timoco
    oc1timoco Posts: 272 Member
    Carbs. before the work out like just a banana or a yogurt and protein after the work out.
  • AusAshMommy
    AusAshMommy Posts: 845 Member
    I tend to skip eating if I work out first thing in the morning (read getting up and to the gym by 5:30 am) and then eating my Oatmeal when I get to work between 8 and 8:15

    If I workout in the evening I go around 8:00 - 8:30 pm then I'll eat my usual dinner and then let it settle (gym time depends on when I finish dinner) and when I get home it's Whole Wheat Bread w/Natural Peanut Butter to replace the protein I exerted.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    It doesn't matter one bit. Eat when you prefer to eat. Meal timing makes zero difference.
  • Cindyis33
    Cindyis33 Posts: 1
    I think it is totally up to you. I have read lots of stuff going both ways. I had a personal trainer tell me to eat prior which was around 4:00am (that is way to early for me to eat something). Try doing it both ways. I say do what is best for YOU! Not everyone is the same.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I view this from an evolutionary perspective

    i.e. in pre-modern times, exercise = food acquisition

    therefore we evolved to eat after exercising.

    personally I eat before and after. although I don't have specific pre-workout meals, my last regular meal counts as that, and when you exercise it's the food you ate over the previous 24 hrs that gives you your energy. I don't exercise on an empty stomach. I make sure my post-workout meal has plenty of protein, and also some carbs.
  • klaff411
    klaff411 Posts: 169 Member
    Since I work out (at work - we have a gym) I generally drink a protein shake (Whey protein) about 1/2 before. If I am working out in the morning. If I go in the afternoon or evening...I just try not to eat until after. Or at least 2 hours have passed or I feel like a stone is in my stomach the whole time.

    On weekends I run in the morning, so I drink a shake usually ..might add a little avacado/heavy cream in. But I'm on keto so its a bit different.
  • eslcity
    eslcity Posts: 323 Member
    I have set my eating time to 7:30am -12:30 and 5pm. You can almost set your clock on my eating habit... normally I work out after I eat... but that is because i eat dinner at work.... and work out after i get home...

    if i do eat... it is just chicken breast. or veg and that is if i really get hungry..
  • Zomoniac
    Zomoniac Posts: 1,169 Member
    Depends what your exercise is. I like to have a little something before a weights session. If I'm doing a long run and trying to do it at a quick pace, anything more than a banana beforehand is likely to make me throw up, so I tend to do it on an empty stomach and feed afterwards. Then always a shake after. But in general, it doesn't matter. If your numbers at the end of the day balance then eat whenever works best for you.
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    For me after. If I eat before I get sick midway through.
  • broox80
    broox80 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I eat something with substance (turkey cheese and an apple, or banana and peanut butter) before I do crossfit and then I will drink a protein shake after. I know a lot of people like to drink a shake before, but I dont like all of that liquid sloshing around in my belly, grosses me the eff out!!! Then about an hour or 2 after, I will eat something heavier.
  • blackwing666
    blackwing666 Posts: 8
    Hey guys, i'm a little bit confused about what the best time to eat carbs (especially in cut).. And what type of carbs??

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