WHEN SHOULD I EAT A LOT?: AFTER OR BEFORE WORKOUT?

Mishtia
Mishtia Posts: 13 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So i started my gym work out today (just cardio and a little bit of weight for now.)and i wanted to keep it straight for the rest of the week but i got plans with my fam and next week i will be heading to the gym straight (if i can) and the gym im going to contains boxing,HIIT,weights and cardio and assigned in days so i know i'll burn heck of a lot calories, i kind of eaten a lot today and exceed 200+ cal than my goal which 1260 and now im wondering WHEN AND WHAT SHOULD EAT? BEFORE OR AFTER? WHAT FOOD SHOULD I NOT EAT AFTER AND BEFORE? Hope you can fill me in with this infos. Thanks.

Replies

  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,646 Member
    Eat what you want when you want.
  • seantnash
    seantnash Posts: 77 Member
    Just be wary. We tend to underestimate the amount of food we eat and overestimate the amount of activity we do.

    For example, I go to a three and a half hour dance class every week *but* I spend about half the class sitting out dances I don't like and socialising. So I actually only exercise for about 90 minutes. MyFitnessPal would say I burnt 2728 calories if I put it in as three and a half hours but only 1169 if I put in the true 90 minutes. That's a heck of a difference!
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    There are no foods you should or shouldn't eat. Just make sure you hit your protein and fat goals each day.

    Meal timing doesn't really matter.

    I do find black tea or coffee and a banana a great pre work out though.
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    Personal preference.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    cityruss wrote: »
    Personal preference.

    Agreed. I usually have a snack about an hour before a workout (like pretzels dipped in nut butter or a protein bar), then I usually have a bigger meal after my workout/shower.

    I can't work out on a full stomach without feeling sick, so I just have something small to keep me going.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,728 Member
    Emily3907 wrote: »
    cityruss wrote: »
    Personal preference.

    Agreed. I usually have a snack about an hour before a workout (like pretzels dipped in nut butter or a protein bar), then I usually have a bigger meal after my workout/shower.

    I can't work out on a full stomach without feeling sick, so I just have something small to keep me going.

    This is generally the case for most people. Whether feeling sick, or boggy, or just losing interest. Something light and quick 30-60 minutes out is good. A full meal usually is counterproductive.
  • upoffthemat
    upoffthemat Posts: 679 Member
    I can't work out on a full stomach at all. I do much better on a very light snack or nothing to eat before working out.
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    I prefer to have a light dinner before training (bout 400 cals) then I come home and snack for the rest of the evening (about 700 cals) I don't like to train on a full stomach but I fast until 1pm so lunch isn't quite enough to get me through a workout if I were to go straight away. Do what works for you, makes no difference.
  • getupforchange
    getupforchange Posts: 86 Member
    You're quickly going to figure that out for yourself. My brother can eat a full meal and go straight to the gym after, I couldn't or I would feel sluggish. If I do cardio I prefer to do that fasted and then I eat something straight after. If I'm doing weight training I eat a small meal before and a small meal after. I eat back about half of my exercise calories. Some eat all of them back. You need to find what works for you.
  • JJS1979
    JJS1979 Posts: 177 Member

    getupforchange wrote: »
    You're quickly going to figure that out for yourself. My brother can eat a full meal and go straight to the gym after, I couldn't or I would feel sluggish. If I do cardio I prefer to do that fasted and then I eat something straight after. If I'm doing weight training I eat a small meal before and a small meal after. I eat back about half of my exercise calories. Some eat all of them back. You need to find what works for you.

    I quoted this because the answer is that it depends on you. For some people eating light works better while others may need more food in their system. One is not better than another. I typically will eat 50-60% of my carbs before and after my workouts. Usually oats before and some fast digesting carbs after but again, that is what works for me. Try different combinations, between working out fasted and fed and see how your performance is and how you feel. Goodluck.
  • kayeroze
    kayeroze Posts: 146 Member
    Before workout (30-60 minutes before), I eat a granola bar because of carbs.

    After workout is protein/bcaa shake that tides me over until I can eat dinner.

    If it's in the morning, I don't eat anything at all until after.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,876 Member
    Just eat an appropriate amount of calories throughout the day...you'll figure out for yourself as you go along what your timing needs to be for you...there's no universal best time to do anything.
  • Sp1tfire
    Sp1tfire Posts: 1,120 Member
    Whatever allows for your best performance during the exercise. If you cramp from eating even an hour or so beforehand, then you'll likely struggle and consequently may burn less calories. Thats why I need to do all exercise fasted, but you may not be the same.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    Most people prefer eating after exercise. But to each their own!
  • megan_elizabeth8
    megan_elizabeth8 Posts: 216 Member
    As others have said, it 100% depends on you. When are you hungry? Are you going to lack energy if you don't eat beforehand? Are you able to workout with a full stomach? Personally working out with a full stomach makes me sick, but I get dizzy if I haven't eaten anything, so a small snack beforehand works best for me :smile:

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