Should you eat before or after working out?

Bump, I would like to know too.

after, especially after cardio. you burn fat more efficiently on an empty stomach.

If I'm hungry, I'll eat a little bit of fruit before, otherwise I eat after my workout. It sounds silly, but in my head I think that if I eat before I workout, I'm pretty much burning what I just ate instead of my stored fat. Plus, your body needs protein during its recovery after a workout.

I usually find eating after working out works best for me. It's like a treat after exercising. Exercise hard and replenish your body. Just don't eat right before working out, not good for the stomach.

I try to do both. I generally have something light and carby before I work out (a piece or two of toast, or a banana, or a small non-chocolate granola bar), and something small and protein-filled after (a glass of soy milk, a cup of yogurt, maybe a salad w/ chicken or turkey).

You need carbs before you work out to fuel your stamina so you can work out longer and harder without getting as tired, and you need protein after to help build and repair muscle. I also find that my best workouts come when I've had at least two cups of water before I go -- the better hydrated I am, the better my run makes me feel.

Not sure if there is really a correct answer to this other than "Whatever works for you".

Personally, I have a small snack before (Banana and/or Protien Bar) and then have a regular meal afterward.

It depends on how hard you are working out. If you plan on doing a hard core workout...eat a small snack about an hour before. Light string cheese and an apple, Peanut butter and a banana, tuna and crackers....something with a little protein. Also you want to eat something after your workout. If I dont have a meal planned for a few hours after a workout, I will have a small snack or a protein shake right after my workout. You need to keep your body fueled to get the best out of your workout!

I try to listen to my body...if my stomach is growling I eat then work out if not then I work out and then eat.

As far as I know, you have to eat something like an apple or banana, granola bar before working out. It is important so you will not put your body in starving position and you will be able to start to burn fat while working out, " basically it force your metabolism burn the fat"! Also if you eat a bit before you will be not only burning fat while working out, but after working out still be able to continue the fat burning. I usually workout after dinner. I eat my dinner at 6pm no later than this time and around 9 or 10pm I start to workout. I also drink at least 1 bottle of water mixed with 2-3 lemon juice, no sugar, no sweetener. Lemon also helps you to burn fat and has many other benefits. Hope it helps.
Dia

YES! I'm a personal trainer (but NOT advertising). You should have a carb + protein snack 45 min. before working out to give your muscles the glycogen they need to work. Additionally, your glycogen stores are depleted about 40-45 min. into your workout, so replenishing with Gu, Hammer Gel, or a sports drink (with a little protein) is great. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a great pre-workout snack. Working out on an empty stomach encourages muscle destruction because starved muscles will consume themselves, which will lower your metabolism and decrease your ability to consume fat for fuel. No good!

After working out, you don't want all of your muscle-building work to go to waste, so you need to replenish your muscles with some carbs and protein. Apples, cottage cheese, and some walnuts are a personal fave. However, hummus, whole wheat pita, and veggies are great, as is string cheese, fruit, and crackers.

You can't expect your car to run on an empty tank. Same goes for your muscles. They need fuel.

I hope this helps! Friend me if you'd like!

i do both. carbs and protein before and after. i usually eat like half a protein bar before and then after if i'm coming from work but if i am coming from home, maybe a banana with pb or some nuts or something.

I work three times a week with a trainer. He asks me to eat a snack before working out, and then to eat a meal within 1 hour of leaving a workout.