what do you eat before sports?

[jeff_veg]

One thing I find about being a vegetarian is that what, when, and how much I eat before I play sports seems to have a bigger impact on my performance.

Sometimes I eat too much and feel like crap during my games. Sometimes I don't eat enough, or don't eat the right thing and then I feel like I have no energy.

Does anyone else find this is the case for them? Anyone have any fool proof foods they eat before physical activity?

[ChelsRm007]

I usually have a muffin or bagel and coffee, wait like two hours and then leave for my run or bike ride. Kashi Go Lean with soymilk works really well too. In general, I try to stick to whole grains, high fiber, high protein foods with a side of caffeine and then I'm good to go.

[asp3]

I climb in the early evening well after lunch and during the time I'd normally have dinner. I usually have a Clif bar on the way to the gym and usually start my warm up/light cardio workout about 20 minutes after the bar. That's all I have until after I finish climbing.

When I go outside to climb, I'll usually eat dry roasted edeamame and Clif bars just before I belay someone else. Sometimes on a long climb I'll bring along a burrito, wrap or sandwiches to eat if we're going to stop for lunch. On long climbing days I also try to have a solid breakfast of cold cereal (Kashi Go Lean is a favorite) or instant oatmeal before I head off.

I don't pay as much attention to what I eat when I go out on a bicycle ride.

[compassionate1]

First, I eat about a pound of cookie dough. Then, I actually take a handful of lard and rub it directly on my chest (over my heart). I then take a cup of olive oil, mix it with 4 avocados, crush in a bag of tortilla chips and mix it in a blender and drink it up like a smoothie. Yum! :lick:



Seriously though, usually just a protein shake or a Clif Bar.

[jeff_veg]

First, I eat about a pound of cookie dough. Then, I actually take a handful of lard and rub it directly on my chest (over my heart). I then take a cup of olive oil, mix it with 4 avocados, crush in a bag of tortilla chips and mix it in a blender and drink it up like a smoothie. Yum! :lick:

:lol: Although I'm technically not opposed to rubbing things on chests, lard isn't vegetarian!

That smoothie also has me intrigued... seriously, it might not taste that bad.

[jeff_veg]

Interesting stuff... I think maybe I am eating too much too late. Sometimes I will eat a full meal then dash off to my game. I bet my body is devoting it's energy to digestion instead of me running around.

I only find this matters for me when I play soccer, where I need "bursty" energy. It's really not the same as working out or a long endurace activity.

I think I will experiment with eating small quantities of high protein and fat food 30-40 minutes ahead of time instead of eating a full meal.

[Ayrlin]

I have been known to eat cookie dough before working out;)

Most the time I eat a slice of multi grain toast with fruit spread or peanut butter, occasionaly hummus.

[anonymousemo]

I eat complex carbs like pasta or wholewheat bread the meal before I do sports, and then I eat a banana right before.

[DieselAmy]

I was wondering the same thing, and just came back from a workout feeling kind of bad, I think from not eating quite right. My competitive sports season is coming up so I need to figure out how to eat!

I just found this: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/athletes.htm
Hopefully I'll be able to follow some of their ideas and see if they work.

The article says to stay away from fat and protein immediately before the event/exercise, btw!

[SeaSiren]

Fruit, generally bananas.

[Pandora]

I like to make a vanilla soy milk-banana-crushed ice shake in the blender...
Also peanut butter works, some dried fruits.

[barrylove]

Well, being the fitness professional that I am I always make sure I eat well before sports.
SO today before the Eagles game I went to Vegan Treats and bought a piece of carrot cake and a blueberry cheesecake!
How is that for eating before sports!?!?!?

How funny is THAT!?