Eating before hitting the gym...

[Fitch]

Is this recommended? There are times when I am ready to go to the gym, but I'm running on empty--I'm hungry. Is it best to work out with the hunger pang; perhaps to soothe it with water, or temporarily substitute a meal with a fruit; or eat a "normal" meal?

For example: I ate 15 minutes ago because I was hungry after a dozen games of basketball. How long must I wait prior to hitting the gym?

I know that the stomach needs the blood to digest the food; by working out, you divert the blood needed for digestion to the muscles--or the muscles do not get enough blood.

In any case: if one chooses to eat prior to working out, how long should the individual wait? OR, should a meal prior to hitting the gym be avoiding all-together?

 

[semag]

you want energy when you go to the gym... preworkout nutrition is about as important as postworkout nutrition.

Anything you eat should be good to go about 30 mins later (like when swimming!) so don't worry about the whole "diverting blood" thing. But... make sure you eat before you go, otherwise you could go catabolic!

 

[Fitch]

I finished eating at about 7:30, and it's 8:02 now. So, I'm good to go now?

 

[semag]

double post

 

[[S]alvatore]

Protein + complex, Low GI carbs 1 hour before you workout.

 

[ThreeStorms]

I can eat a good meal 15 minutes before WO and have no problem. When I try to train on an emtpy stomach, I am in trouble.

 

[Fitch]

Protein + complex, Low GI carbs 1 hour before you workout.

List some examples, please.

 

[Cloud-uk]

List some examples, please.

Pasta with some tomato sauce and a shake. I'd say that 30 minutes is too soon to then go out and lift- give it an hour.

 

[silverwex]

I have a meal 1.5 hrs before hitting the gym, works well for me.

 

[shydude]

The best thing to eat is something lite! Something like a yogurt or even a bannana!

 

[brucevangeorge]

I just dunk a protein shake. It has complex carbs so it wont floor me with the insulin response that normally happens with simple sugars.

Like it was said before: something lite and quick. And wait a bit for the food to settle (like 30 min) before hitting the heavy squats and deads.

 

[MrS]

In boxing, you're suppsoed to eat 2-3 hours before.
I have a banana like 30-40 mins before and a glass of water.

 

[[S]alvatore]

List some examples, please.

Whole wheat bread + turkey
Wholemeal Pitta + Chicken/Tuna/Lean Meat

The possibilities are endless.

 

[Bloke]

A lot of you guys are over complicating things

Just have anything filling without any junk sugar rubbish (you shouldn;'t be having this anyway), wait til the full feeling is gone then head off.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I just dunk a protein shake. It has complex carbs so it wont floor me with the insulin response that normally happens with simple sugars.

Like it was said before: something lite and quick. And wait a bit for the food to settle (like 30 min) before hitting the heavy squats and deads.

I'd take this route instead of a full meal before working out. Eating something heavy and working out before it is digested can screw up your workout because your working out will take over blood utilized for digestion to oxygenate your muscles. This could cause nausea and cramps if you have a load of undigested food in your gut.

I'd eat a good meal several (usually 4) hours before working out even if it's the day before as long as consists of low GI foods such as pasta. About an hour to an hour and a half prior to working out drink a protein shake that has a glutamine and creatine in it to top yourself off. Then within the first hour or two after working out, take in a good protein/carb meal because your body will be craving it.

Mind you, I'm a cyclist and I'm focused on LONG consistent workouts lasting no less than two and a half hours (a 40+ mile ride) to five or more hours (100+ miles). I finish the ride with fresh legs, no cramping and ready to do it again the next day (after having a good meal and enough sleep. My muscles are able to repair themselves quickly and perform as well if not a bit better the next time and the length/intensity of the workouts can increase without much trouble.