We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
What and when do you eat before a swim?
Murrayzaida
Posts: 12 Member
I swim about 2.5km (1.5 miles) in an hour. I like to eat a bowl of oats (1/2 cup oats) 30-45min before a swim, but this seems either to be too heavy or too close to my swim time.
I know this is a very individual thing, but would be interested to hear what you all have found to work well for you.
I know this is a very individual thing, but would be interested to hear what you all have found to work well for you.
0
Replies
-
I swim at about 7am-8am and do not eat before at all. I drink water sometimes during but then have breakfast at work after.
I really don't like doing any exercise after food. Even after a few hours I don't feel great if I start working out1 -
Hmm, I swim or lift after work (4:15ish-5:30 for laps, 5:35-6:30 a vigorous deep water cardio class). By 3:00pm, I need something to eat or I'll just run out of juice. I used to have a Luna bar (seemed like candy, but it worked). I have lately replaced that with some berries and greek yoghurt, which works just as well. There are days when I will have a cup of coffee with that if I'm tired or I know that it's going to be a long swim.
When I workout in the morning (running), I run fasted. Maybe a cup of coffee, but I generally don't need food.0 -
Just a scoop of protein powder in water.
And 3 scoops of Aminoenergy.
If I am planning longer than a 5 mile(8km) swim i add EFS to my water.0 -
Banana and coffee with sugar0
-
Oatmeal about an hour before since I usually swim first thing in the morning. If I swim later in the day, I might have an extra banana or apple in addition to my normal eating schedule.0
-
Update: I found that eating my oats 1 hour before I hit the water does the trick. Previously my timing (30-45min) was just a bit too close to the swim.0
-
Awesome! It's great to figure out what works. It makes the workout so much better!0
-
I do intermittent fasting so always train fasted even if I don't swim until mid afternoon. The only time I will eat before swimming is for a big competition and that usually oats with protein powder a couple of hours earlier, then a few jellybeans during the meet.0
-
banana0
-
and coffee0
-
I try not to eat before I swim. In the morning I would eat breakfast after swimming. If I swim in the evening I try to have my dinner afterwards. But sometimes it can be too late and so I have a light meal 2 hours before a swim and another light snack after my swim. It affects my performance if I swim straight after eating and I feel lethargic and heavy!0
-
I can't eat ANYTHING for about 2 hours before I swim or I end up urping and tasting my own digestive juices for my entire workout.
I try to have a good sustaining protein-rich meal 3-4 hours before I swim. Today I'll have a big breakfast and swim before lunch; most often I have a good protein fix at lunch and then swim after work before dinner.1 -
I used to eat 1/4 cup of oatmeal 2 hours before, with a bit of milk kefir, almond milk, a few mixed nuts, nutritional yeast and a bit of jam on top. However, I've since changed it to a protein shake (in one cup of almond milk) and that seems to last me just fine for 1-2 hours. I swim in the mornings so am not too hungry anyway when I go.0
-
Murrayzaida wrote: »I swim about 2.5km (1.5 miles) in an hour. I like to eat a bowl of oats (1/2 cup oats) 30-45min before a swim, but this seems either to be too heavy or too close to my swim time.
I know this is a very individual thing, but would be interested to hear what you all have found to work well for you.
Hey there! We swim similar times and distances 👍0 -
I usually swim in an empty stomach!1
This discussion has been closed.