PreWorkout Snack

arabianhorselover
arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
edited November 19 in Food and Nutrition
What are some good foods to eat before a workout?

Replies

  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    Anything that allows you to have a good workout.

    I personally don't eat before my workout, only after.
  • bonjourjackie
    bonjourjackie Posts: 27 Member
    Good food before a workout should be quick carbs that will give you fast energy and will burn while you're exercising. I recommend a piece of fruit like a banana and maybe a bit of peanut butter. In the mornings if I know I'm working out I will either have fruit with greek yogurt or a green smoothie. Maybe milk and cereal. Save high protein stuff for after the workout when you need it to rebuild the muscles!
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    Thank you. I know bananas are supposed to be good. I was thinking of whole wheat bagel with peanut butter or jam.
  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    I try to get some protein before lifting (eggs, bacon) and some fruit. If I dont have protein before I will get shaky during my workout. If I am doing cardio, I'll have oats and some fruit.
  • _emma_78
    _emma_78 Posts: 64 Member
    I personally don't eat before but it depends how early before you're workout you're eating. Bananas are good for about an hour or 30 min before. Heavier foods like energy bars I can't stomach unless it's 2 hours before
  • greekyogurtandpuppies
    greekyogurtandpuppies Posts: 81 Member
    Lately I have been all about bananas with Trader Joe's crunchy peanut butter with chia seeds. So good and gives you tons of energy :)
  • M30834134
    M30834134 Posts: 411 Member
    I workout first thing in the morning, before any food, but drink Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy, Green Apple and it gives me some energy and helps my muscles.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    Lately I have been all about bananas with Trader Joe's crunchy peanut butter with chia seeds. So good and gives you tons of energy :)

    I've never tried Chia seeds. Do they have much of a flavor?

  • tmoser512
    tmoser512 Posts: 28 Member
    Since I workout first thing in the morning, I have some coffee with milk and a banana...just to get me going.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Anything that is "stick to your ribs" and easy on the stomach. A little oatmeal with honey, bananas and berries, and granola - need carbs to burn.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    You need to experiment between having something or nothing. Its pesonal choice. I prefer something rather than fasted. My go to are oats, greek yoghurt, dried fruit, peanut butter and the amazing banana. If i find myself flagging then I have stuff on hand, but i cna do quite long gym sessions.

    If you are doing workouts less than an hour then you probably dont need anything especially if youve eaten recently. See how your body feels, but you get used to knowing when you have no energy and if thats due to not having enough fuel. Carbs are what your body first looks for as fuel after it uses up the glycogen, but it takes a fair amount of time to burn up the latter.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    What are some good foods to eat before a workout?

    First of all - what is your workout? How does it fit in your day?
    Secondly - why do you think you need to eat before your workout?

    Not being snarky BTW - there's a world of difference between going off to the gym for an hour in the middle of the day (nothing required) or a multi hour workout (that needs fuelling), or working out first thing in the morning if you don't like fasted training.

    If you eat just before your workout hardly anything of what you consume will be digested in time anyway. A lot comes down to personal preference rather than actual need.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    Well, I go to the gym after 4:00 when I get off work. I usually have an afternoon snack around 2:30 or 3:00. I do Stronglifts 3x5 plus a bunch of other exercises for triceps, biceps, quads, hamstrings, shoulders, back and calves. i also do an abdominal workout. I am actually wanting to cut something out, since it is taking me too long to do all this. By the time I get off work I am lacking energy to work out, so I do think I need an afternoon snack.
  • _sacar
    _sacar Posts: 80 Member
    Thank you. I know bananas are supposed to be good. I was thinking of whole wheat bagel with peanut butter or jam.

    I don't know what your food goals are like, but I am always surprised at the high calorie content of bagels. Maybe a half bagel? I wouldn't want to be too full during a workout anyway. That seems like a decent snack though.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    I usually have one or two scoops of whey with water in a blender bottle about an hour before I train. Sometimes I'll add coffee + ice if I want a little caffeine kick.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Well, I go to the gym after 4:00 when I get off work. I usually have an afternoon snack around 2:30 or 3:00. I do Stronglifts 3x5 plus a bunch of other exercises for triceps, biceps, quads, hamstrings, shoulders, back and calves. i also do an abdominal workout. I am actually wanting to cut something out, since it is taking me too long to do all this. By the time I get off work I am lacking energy to work out, so I do think I need an afternoon snack.

    Two routes really...
    Sugary/carby foods for quick digestion - banana, fruit or a sports drink as examples.
    Stimulant - cup of strong coffee.

    Coffee & cake would cover all bases!

    PS - worth looking at your overall calorie goal to make sure you aren't tired purely because you are at too steep a deficit.
  • mistikal13
    mistikal13 Posts: 1,457 Member
    I don't eat before I work out, but I know a lot of people that like to grab a banana for something light.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Well, I go to the gym after 4:00 when I get off work. I usually have an afternoon snack around 2:30 or 3:00. I do Stronglifts 3x5 plus a bunch of other exercises for triceps, biceps, quads, hamstrings, shoulders, back and calves. i also do an abdominal workout. I am actually wanting to cut something out, since it is taking me too long to do all this. By the time I get off work I am lacking energy to work out, so I do think I need an afternoon snack.

    Two routes really...
    Sugary/carby foods for quick digestion - banana, fruit or a sports drink as examples.
    Stimulant - cup of strong coffee.

    Coffee & cake would cover all bases!

    PS - worth looking at your overall calorie goal to make sure you aren't tired purely because you are at too steep a deficit.



    Co-signed. Especially the part at looking at your Calorie goal.

    I'm a bit different than you, OP - I lift in the morning before work. I typically just drink a cup of coffee beforehand. If I find myself hungry, I'll eat a banana, but that's the most I'll eat. Anything more and I find it upsets my stomach while lifting. As such, I'd advise against eating anything too "heavy" before your workout.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    _ssperber wrote: »
    Thank you. I know bananas are supposed to be good. I was thinking of whole wheat bagel with peanut butter or jam.

    I don't know what your food goals are like, but I am always surprised at the high calorie content of bagels. Maybe a half bagel? I wouldn't want to be too full during a workout anyway. That seems like a decent snack though.

    I was thinking of the Thomas Bagel Thins. Half the size of a real bagel. Half the calories.

  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Well, I go to the gym after 4:00 when I get off work. I usually have an afternoon snack around 2:30 or 3:00. I do Stronglifts 3x5 plus a bunch of other exercises for triceps, biceps, quads, hamstrings, shoulders, back and calves. i also do an abdominal workout. I am actually wanting to cut something out, since it is taking me too long to do all this. By the time I get off work I am lacking energy to work out, so I do think I need an afternoon snack.

    Two routes really...
    Sugary/carby foods for quick digestion - banana, fruit or a sports drink as examples.
    Stimulant - cup of strong coffee.

    Coffee & cake would cover all bases!

    PS - worth looking at your overall calorie goal to make sure you aren't tired purely because you are at too steep a deficit.


    Well, I've put a few pounds back on over the last few months, I assume because I've gone over my calories at times. I've gone back to the amount of calories I was still losing on before to try to get these pounds back off.

  • _sacar
    _sacar Posts: 80 Member
    _ssperber wrote: »
    Thank you. I know bananas are supposed to be good. I was thinking of whole wheat bagel with peanut butter or jam.

    I don't know what your food goals are like, but I am always surprised at the high calorie content of bagels. Maybe a half bagel? I wouldn't want to be too full during a workout anyway. That seems like a decent snack though.

    I was thinking of the Thomas Bagel Thins. Half the size of a real bagel. Half the calories.

    Oooooh, might try that.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    _ssperber wrote: »
    _ssperber wrote: »
    Thank you. I know bananas are supposed to be good. I was thinking of whole wheat bagel with peanut butter or jam.

    I don't know what your food goals are like, but I am always surprised at the high calorie content of bagels. Maybe a half bagel? I wouldn't want to be too full during a workout anyway. That seems like a decent snack though.

    I was thinking of the Thomas Bagel Thins. Half the size of a real bagel. Half the calories.

    Oooooh, might try that.

    They are quite good.

  • greekyogurtandpuppies
    greekyogurtandpuppies Posts: 81 Member
    Lately I have been all about bananas with Trader Joe's crunchy peanut butter with chia seeds. So good and gives you tons of energy :)

    I've never tried Chia seeds. Do they have much of a flavor?

    Yes! They're very tasty. They have a slightly nutty taste.
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