[minniemouse]

I'm sure this question has been answered before, but I couldn't find it, so please forgive me for asking it again.

Sometimes, I work out first thing in the morning.
Other times, I work out during lunch break.

Should I eat my meals (breakfast/lunch) before or after my workouts?

One theory says workout hungry so that you burn the fat instead of the fuel you just consumed if you ate.
The other theory says that eating after you workout is the best time since metabolism is high and replenishment is necessary, so whatever you eat will burn off faster.
Third theory is that it doesn't matter, its all about calories in versus calories out.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[ringmaster]

I think it's better to eat a full meal after. After you eat blood is flowing to your stomach to digest food and you might not have the pump to workout. I also feel a bit nauseous working out right after eating, like I'm about to throw my food up.

Your body is supposed to have a time frame after working out (90 or so minutes) to refuel itself, so that's a good time to have a good meal.

If you need to eat something before working out just to fuel your workout, usually a small banana will help and digest fast.

[HVEECK]

This has been a question of mine also since begining this a year ago. I think i've finally answered it for me though. also, my sister's personal trainer helped basically you shouldn't workout if you are very hungry because you will be weak and you will focus on hunger pains instead of your workout. so try to eat a little something about an hour before your workout. fruit is the best because it has good carbs for energy and digests quickly. it doesn't linger in your stomache. You dont want to go workout on a full stomach though. Then after a strength training workout, you should have protein within a half hour after working out. So I usually have a protein shake, which holds me over for an hour or two, then have my lunch or dinner (depending on the time of day). Your body is already in calorie burning mode from your work out, so its best to have your bigger meals after working out. I happen to have to workout a lot in the evening, so I will usually try to save my dinner for after my workouts. One thing I've read is.... If you eat right before your work out your body will be producing insulin, which slows the process of burning fat. so, you dont want to be starving, but you also dont want to have a full belly before you go work out. hope this helps

[littlejojo]

I've always wanted to know the answer to this question. Thanks for posting it ....and for the answers too : )

[Brown Eyed Staccie]

Personally, working out on an empty stomach affects how hard I can work out. My trainer gets mad at me if I don't eat before I work out - something with a good balance of protein and carbs but not too heavy such as a protein shake and small banana, etc. I have much more energy for my workout and not starving after. Mind you I do a lot of weight and resistance training. When I am just doing cardio, I do work out on an empty stomach sometimes.

[CJZee]

Before your workout:
http://www.webefit.com/articles_100_...reworkout.html

After your workout:
http://www.webefit.com/articles_100_...erworkout.html

[Fox]

I asked a personal trainer at my gym this same question and she said if you work out near a meal you should split your meal in half (kind of into 2 snacks) and eat half before you work out and the other half after.

I work out around breakfast so I eat the lighter half of my breakfast about 30-40 minutes before my workout (this morning I ate an apple with peanut butter) and then when I got home I had the rest of my breakfast (oatmeal with berries and a piece of string cheese).

I'm usually not hungry right after I work out, it usually takes another 30-40 minutes or so before I feel like eating something.

[geoblewis]

According to some body-building websites, "when you wake up in the morning after an overnight 8-12 hour fast, your body’s stores of glycogen are somewhat depleted. Doing cardio in this state causes your body to mobilize more fat because of the unavailability of glycogen." Doing some cardio exercise for about 30 minutes in the morning may speed up fat-burning.

But for weight training, it's been my experience that I need to eat a balanced meal for energy about 30 minutes before working out (not too heavy, around 350 calories) and then eat more protein and lots of water afterwards to provide nutrients for healing. And I do my weight training a few hours before going to bed because I do get tired and sleepy.

Georgia