Steel Cut oats and Pre/post work out foods

I tried steel cut oats, and they are good, but they take a LOT longer to cook than other oats, and I lost patience for them. My favorite is a multi-grain oatmeal from Trader Joe's - better than quick-oats, nice texture and flavor.

As for early classes and eating - if you are energized enough to get through them now, I wouldn't worry about a pre-workout snack. I workout at 5am as well, and on an empty stomach, with no issues. But if you need something, try a half of a banana and a slice of toast, or a bagel, and many swear by good ol' coffee on the way to the gym.

I like oatmeal, but I don't spring for the steel cut variety because they take longer to cook and there is an insignificant difference in glycemic index and macronutrients (the arguments made in favor of steel cut) between steel cut and rolled oats.

I work out later at night and don't do any classes (none available with my schedule). If I worked out at 5am, I would be late for work. Why not eat breakfast 30-60 min. before going to work out and having a carb and protein snack right afterward?

You can do protein shake before and after as long as it agrees with you. I like to add flax seed or chia as well.

No comment on the oatmeal, but as far as working out early and eating, just go with what feels right. Personally I am not a huge fan of eating at 5am, so I go to the gym on an empty stomach, and usually don't eat until a few hours later unless I'm ravenous.

I love steel cut oats but I can't be bothered to prepare them on a regular basis. I compromise with Coach's Oats which have a very similar texture. I do not really like the texture or rolled oats.

I usually have an apple about 30 minutes or so before I hit the weight room. I hit the weight room in the evening after work on Tues and Thurs so I just eat dinner afterwards. I usually workout on Saturday mornings too and then just have lunch afterwards.

The only time I really worry about post workout nutrition is if I do a ride of about 30 miles or more.

I have never really liked the chewy texture of steel cut oats, but I've heard the crockpot is a good way to go with them.

For post workout, With the class being that early I'd go in fasted. Make sure to have some starchy carbs the evening before if you do that.
And postworkout could be your breakfast if you keep the fat low and add protein and fast digesting carbs in a 1:2 ratio. If not, a spotty banana and a protein shake would work with your breakfast and hour or so later.

What I do probably won't apply to you because I'm a lifter and I lift at 10am . I make my breakfast of protein pancake my preworkout and then I have a protein shake with cereal afterwards or sometimes just have a low fat lunch.

Hope that helps!

I looked up nutrition content for steel cut vs old fashioned, and while steel cut are less processed, they are the same nutrition wise on what I look for. They are double the fiber but also double the calories. So to eat the same amount calorie wise, there is no difference IMO. Except I don't get to eat as much, which is a big downfall. I'll stick with old fashioned. A small bowl of oatmeal would be a good pre-morning workout snack.

I like steel cut oats a lot, mostly for the texture. They definitely take longer to prepare, so you either need to presoak them or make them in quantity and parcel them out. I do that when I think to make them on a weekend. I think they're mostly for people who don't mind doing a little cooking.

Alton Brown has a really good recipe for them, and I usually follow some variation on his recipe. It does have extra calories because it involves toasting the oats in butter at the beginning, but I find that a teaspoon of butter will do a cup of oats, provided you stir while they're cooking. I also add some nonfat Greek yogurt so that I get some extra protein.

Anyway, what I do is start with a teaspoon of butter in the bottom of a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. At the same time, I put 3.5 cups of water in the microwave to heat up. When the butter is melted, I add a cup of oats, and stir for 2-3 minutes. Then I add the water and a pinch of salt, stir, and cook until the oats come to a simmer. Then I put the lid on and leave it alone for about twenty minutes. At that point, I'll stir in a cup of Greek yogurt, a tablespoon of either sugar or honey or maple syrup, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and some chopped fresh or dried fruit. When the oats come back to a simmer, I turn off the heat and let the pan sit, covered, for another ten minutes or so.

Most of those ingredients are optional, and a lot of people use milk instead of yogurt, or they just use water.

That gives me four servings.

Like I said, it's not something to do if you hate cooking, but it makes a very satisfying breakfast.

True steel cut oats do take a long time to cook. So good and totally worth it. One man's opinion!! It is best to make up a large amount plain, more than a few days worth, take what you want then and then store the rest in the fridge. Reheat a portion as needed. Add whatever you like (fruits, nuts, honey etc). You can mix it up with each portion. In other words you won't get bored with it using the steel cut oats as the canvas for delicious eating in the morning or anytime quite frankly.
Now, McCanns has 'Quick and Easy' steel cut 100% Whole Grain Irish Oats that are really easy and quite good. They take less than 10 mins. start to finish. Got then at Costco. They appear to be smaller grain size than your typical steel cut oat so that may be the way they cook faster. Nothing else is apparent and there are no artificial ingredients. "Alls good in the hood"!! Enjoy!

There's too many people with too many opinions about what is right or not about pre and post workout eating. My take on all of it is overall I stay in a caloric deficit eating organic whenever possible and only foods that I know exactly what's in it(i.e. make it myself with ingredients I can account for) while maintaining a balance of carbs, proteins and fats. Smaller portions with a good probiotic and some kind of fiber therapy daily has worked for me. Was 184 April 2013 now 158 at age 64. There's no quick fix but there is good healthy daily living for the quality of your life. I am new to MyFitnessPal and hope that I can use the tracking to help get down to my goal weight of 143 while adding some lean muscle mass with exercise. Balance is everything!!

Peace and Joy!