Early Morning Exerciser Looking for a Pre-Workout Nibble

A banana, glass of chocolate milk, or a piece of string cheese?

I workout VERY early and don't like to get up earlier than I have to in order to digest a snack. I usually go for 1/2 serving of a protien shake, 1/2 banana or 1/2 small granola bar for a few carbs and some water. That is usually enough to get through an hour or so.

I drink the Gatorade carb pre-workout packet. Then I follow up with the Gatorade recovery drink that has tons of protein in it. It works fine for me.

I tried a Larabar the other day before a run and felt sick, sick, sick. I seem to do well with peanut butter on toast and some water.

I love yogurt before my early morning workouts. Throw in a few berries or some flax seed if you need something more to keep you going.

grapefruit for me

A banana and cup of coffee work for me. Emphasis on cup of coffee...

Really it depends on your body, when I have to wake up really early for Summer or Spring training I would sometimes have a bottle of Ensure on my way to the bus (I can't drive) it's not too heavy on my stomach, I generally burn off most of the calories in the can, it's got the protein I need and it sustains me until after my workout, I tend to call this the 'first half' of my breakfast. The second half would be a banana or something easily put in a backpack until I can get back home, and then a light, healthy snack to top things off.

Depends on your body really, each person's stomach is different. The important thing is to ahve protein, if not before then after and to have at least a little something to eat to help fuel your body

A giant triple shot soy latte. Protein with a Punch. :drinker:

I would absolutely choose a carb over a fat for early morning pre workout. Or for any pre workout for that matter, however it may not be relevant if you're waking up at 5 and basically going directly to the gym. Once you eat something it'll take roughly 2 hours for it to be processed through the body and be available to be used for energy.

When I first started getting up at 5 am to workout, I needed something in my stomach. I would put a banana and a Sargento reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese on my bedside table. Because the cheese is individually packaged, it was fine overnight. I would eat the banana before and the cheese after. It worked great for me. Now that I'm used to the schedule, though, I don't need anything.

Hope this is helpful!

I always go for a banana, a small bowl of oatmeal, or a half slice of toast with peanut butter.