WHAT DO U EAT TO GIVE YOU ENERGY FOR YOUR WORKOUTS?

umikap · July 2012

My workouts are strenuous.
I wanna make sure I am choosing foods that fuel my body before and after a workout.

ANY TIPS???

bobcooks920 · July 2012

Before my long runs, I eat a Clif bar.

umikap · July 2012

I have to look that up....never heard of it.

akaOtherWise · July 2012

Carbs. If I have a really hard workout coming up, like a max effort squat or deadlift day, I'll normally eat a majority of my carbs for the day about an hour and a half before going to the gym.

AmyAngelaB · July 2012

Banana's

ambitious01 · July 2012

I like bananas for a hard workout.The carbs break down easily and it is easy to digest.:happy:

taso42 · July 2012

My usual pre-workout snack is a banana with peanut butter. Just had that right now.

ETA: coffee's good too.

LilRedRooster · July 2012

Before long runs (mostly in the morning), I have oatmeal with peanut butter, some brown sugar, and fruit. Keeps me going through at least 13 miles without any issues.

ChitownFoodie · July 2012

Carbs and coffee. I usually have an English muffin, peanut butter and a banana.

Hezzietiger1 · July 2012

Banana, sometimes banana and almonds

Lift_hard_eat_big · July 2012

I eat those things known as calories.

Jules221 · July 2012

I like a banana before a workout and a protein shake after.

higgins09cait · July 2012

I workout twice a day. In the morning, I run on an empty stomach, as soon as I get up so nothing there. However, when I hit the weights hard in the after noon, I already have 5 meals in out of 7 for the day. My meal before my workout is my "dinner." I have chicken, brown rice, and asparagus, pretty much every day (keeping it simple helps). I have TONS of energy! Also, I would recommend a pre-workout. I take C4 20-30 minutes before my workout and am AMPED when I'm ready to lift that iron. There are so many different kinds of pre-workout but so far, I've found C4 to be the best.

TriThreat · July 2012

I eat ZONE Nutrition bars and usually fuel up on gatorade an hour or two before working out

jesss5885 · July 2012

apples or hardboiled egg whites!

RobynMWilson · July 2012

Banana and pbutter before...protein about an hour post-workout. On lifting days it's 3 Eggland's Best eggs...hard for me to do my shake post workout b/c when I'm working (I'm a school bus driver) I have no time between runs to hit the head so I have to time my drinks/shakes accordingly or it becomes a torturous afternoon lol

anikisa · July 2012

Watermelon !! Or any fruit

mdmcmillen · July 2012

I try to eat some carbs during the day, then I usually do a 2 mile swim after work. After the swim, I drink a protein shake. I've tried some pre workout supplements, but they just don't work for me and end up making me feel like crap.

SomeoneSomeplace · July 2012

I eat a carb heavy meal two-three hours before I know I'm going on a long endurance run. Then if I'm still hungry I'll eat a granola bar or some kind of 100 calorie pack. Lately I've been eating almonds. Sometimes I have a munchkin if I feel my blood sugar is a bit low. I just keep anything I eat close to my work out small.

Some specific ideas: Pasta Salad, Black Beans (this are higher in carbs then you might think), plain bagel w/ peanut butte and banana, cheerio's, special k, a 6 inch veggie sub from subway, a luna bar, a cliff bar...there are others im sure im forgetting.

Also I drink a big bottle of smart water.

After my intensive cardio work outs that include strength training i drink a protein shake!

saragato · July 2012

Banana's

Seconding bananas. I drink a couple of glasses of milk after as well since I don't have the desire or money for those protein shakes and I'm sure it tastes better anyway.

raiderrodney · July 2012

I try not to eat at all before a workout. If it's been a long time since I've last eaten and I know a huge calorie burn is coming (like a 2-3 hour football or volleyball day) I'll drink a protein shake. Remember, if you're still focusing on burning fat, your body burns through the carbs it has before using that fat so why add more?

FitRican · July 2012

I eat 50-75 gm of complex carbs (Low GI) like oats, wheat, for breakfast, I eat 10-25 grams before/during working out with weights. usually candies, and about 10-50 gms after working out. Total 125-175 grams a day.

mogriff1 · July 2012

Usually a banana pre workout.

LadyIntrepid · July 2012

Carbs at least an hour plus before (usually a healthy cereal or oatmeal with banana) and protein of some kind (bar, shake, eggs) immediately after.

andreanicole686 · July 2012

Carbs and coffee. I usually have an English muffin, peanut butter and a banana.

I eat the exact same thing!

Super good and gives me energy.

usmcmp · July 2012

I don't eat before a workout unless it's going to last 2+ hours. I get more blood flow to the muscles and my body seems to respond better. Doesn't matter if I'm running or lifting a fasted workout feels better to me.

PlunderBunneh · July 2012

Dense wheat cinnamon/raisin/cranberry/walnut bagel bar with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter. It's the only thing that will stick long enough that I'm not starving but also won't cause side stitches for me.

browmarg · July 2012

I'm doing a biggest loser class and our nutritionist told us to eat simple carbs before exercising. He suggested a jelly sandwich, peanut butter sandwich, banana, fig newtons, and/or things like that, because they break down easily and quickly to give you the energy you need. He suggested eating these about an hour or two before working out for over forty minutes of intense cardio or weight lifting. You shouldn't not eat before like raiderrodney suggests because your blood sugar will be low and your performance will suffer. Focus on eating simple carbs that don't have excessive protein or fat.