Eat Before or After Workout

Lsng4good
Lsng4good Posts: 86 Member
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
This is a question I have had for years. Should I eat before or after the gym?

Replies

  • bethann1976
    bethann1976 Posts: 49
    I feel sluggish if I eat before. I think it's just personal preference?
  • murf19
    murf19 Posts: 453 Member
    I like to eat after.
  • RedHotRunner
    RedHotRunner Posts: 850 Member
    Agree that it's a personal preference. I eat after too.
  • audreyyrose
    audreyyrose Posts: 85
    you should have a light snack with some carbs (think a piece of fruit) about 30 minutes before working out (for energy).
    and you should have something high-protein immediately after (to rebuild your muscles) :]
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    depends, I don't eat right before so I eat abotu 1 1/2 hours before(usually small and high carbs), because then I don't feel too full or uncomfortable then I eat a small meal after after working out (always protein I like 3 soft boiled eggs) because itgives your muscles nutrition to help repair them.
  • ngr1973
    ngr1973 Posts: 334
    I eat after ... but I make sure I've eaten something a few hours before I work out so its not on an empty stomach. otherwise I feel sick.
  • Aimee_PD
    Aimee_PD Posts: 177 Member
    im a morning exerciser and for me, i have to eat before my workout because i dont do well with exercise and drinking on an empty stomach and i drink plenty water while exercising so for me i eat breakfast before (not a heavy one) and maybe a protein shake or fruit after..i usually space it out evenly between breakfast and lunch
  • chantalicious
    chantalicious Posts: 68
    If I workout in the morning I don't eat before because I'm starving after my workout. If I wokout in the afternoon I will have a snack before for the energy boost!
  • chantalicious
    chantalicious Posts: 68
    If I workout in the morning I don't eat before because I'm starving after my workout. If I wokout in the afternoon I will have a snack before for the energy boost!
  • NightOwl1
    NightOwl1 Posts: 881 Member
    I eat before if I haven't eaten in a while, because I want to make sure I have enough energy. I almost always eat afterwards, especially if I do anything that involves building muscle. Getting protein as soon as you can after your workout definitely helps.
  • Nikayla11209
    Nikayla11209 Posts: 31
    I highly agree about eating like fruit or something before and then high protein after, it might sound odd but if you drink a little bit of chocolate milk after a work out you recover a lot faster! :)
  • justmegan82
    justmegan82 Posts: 6
    I've heard to eat a small carb snack before a workout. I can understand needing to do that because I feel like I might pass out if my stomach is empty while I workout! Don't stuff yourself, of course, but something small couldn't hurt.

    Also, I've heard that having protein immediately after a workout is good for you. I've also heard that drinking chocolate milk after weight training is helpful for recovery.

    I listen to the Get Fit Guy podcast (it's on www.quickanddirtytips.com) and he answers A LOT of questions like these. LOTS of good information. The Nutrition Diva is also really good.
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    I do both. I'll eat something light about an hour before, then have a recovery meal right after. Nothin' wrong with it for me.
  • shanolap
    shanolap Posts: 1,204 Member
    It depends on the time of day for me. If I am doing a morning workout, I can hardly eat. So maybe 1/2 a banana or a protein shake. If my workout is in the evening then I have to eat. I mainly workout after work and usually eat 200 calories 30-45 minutes before. I like 1/2 cup brown rice and 2-3 ounces grilled chicken. If I don't eat a blend of protein and carbs I lose my momentum halfway through my workout.

    Good luck!
  • Skye76
    Skye76 Posts: 28
    The quick answer? Whenever you want to. If you feel low-energy during your workout, eat before. If you feel nauseous working out with food in your stomach, eat afterwards. If you're attempting to build muscle, just make sure you have some source of protein within an hour of your workout (before or after).
  • ♥Violette♥4Ever♥
    ♥Violette♥4Ever♥ Posts: 457 Member
    you should have a light snack with some carbs (think a piece of fruit) about 30 minutes before working out (for energy).
    and you should have something high-protein immediately after (to rebuild your muscles) :]

    This is what I do.
  • RiverRatChick
    RiverRatChick Posts: 115 Member
    Depends on what your workout is I guess. I do Insanity and without a snack beforehand I would probably not have the energy to complete the workouts to the best of my ability. Therefore, I eat a light PB&J 1.5 - 2 hours before I workout. Works every time. Whole wheat bread, 1 tblsp organic PB, 1 tsp reduced sugar jelly. Delish!
  • PeterBuilt09
    PeterBuilt09 Posts: 24 Member
    I do both :) I eat a small portion of protien and a complex carb like oatmeal to fuel me through my training then I replenish my carbs afterwards and take in about 50grams of protien
  • AmeMahoney
    AmeMahoney Posts: 232
    Both, definitely. 5-6 small meals a day, and you'll do both anyway. Put your workout right in between 2 meals.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    both :)

    See http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/puzzle_1.htm
    and
    http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/puzzle_2.htm
  • Murdog
    Murdog Posts: 70
    In Boot Camp, I didn't have a choice but to eat before our PT sessions. It didn't seem to bother me back then. But, now?? I can't even think about eating before a workout--especially a run. So, definately--after.
  • KarenLouise1981
    KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
    I always have a snack like a piece of fruit or a yoghurt in the morning as i find i get really light-headed and lethargic as my glucose dips. If training pm leave at least 1 1/2 hrs after eating to avoid stitches etc. I also find it really hard to run on a full stomach! Immediately after training i always have something high protein like boiled eggs or tinned tuna then cary on the day as normal.
  • Ally_Clare
    Ally_Clare Posts: 355 Member
    I have to wait a few hours after eating a meal before exercise otherwise i dont feel well. Sometimes if im hungry though i'll eat a snack like a banana before i hit up the exercise. Usually i eat after though.
  • Natacia28
    Natacia28 Posts: 11 Member
    I like to eat a light snack before work out then another after :smile:
  • zorbaru
    zorbaru Posts: 1,077 Member
    i will almost always eat after, although for me it depends on the impact of the workout.

    tonight i have karate training so i will probably just eat a snack 1 - 2 hours before then eat dinner when i get home. if i ate dinner first i would probably vomit at training

    on monday night i went for a bike ride on a full stomach and was fine.
  • JHoersten2
    JHoersten2 Posts: 44 Member
    I eat my meals before. I easily get 2x the energy and results from the work out than if I wait until after.
  • yarinathan
    yarinathan Posts: 36 Member
    you should have a light snack with some carbs (think a piece of fruit) about 30 minutes before working out (for energy).
    and you should have something high-protein immediately after (to rebuild your muscles) :]


    I agree!!! My all time fav is a piece of ww toast wit a smear of PB!!!! Then afterwards a protein shake! Makes for a great start to the day!
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