Good pre-workout snacks?

I like a sliced banana w/a cup of yogurt and about 1/2 c of oatmeal all mixed up in a bowl...but it's a little heavy to eat RIGHT before a hard workout (great before the bike tho).

This usually doubles as breakfast for me.

If it's just before a workout I like jus tthe banana, or just a little yogurt, or maybe some whole grain toast w/ pb.

omg I said it....

I like to have a banana and yoghurt or applesauce and a bit of cottage cheese. Sometimes in the morning I will just a bowl of cream of wheat or toast and pb(sorry, I said it too!!! lol)

an apple or banana with PEANUT BUTTER and off to the pool.  Breakfast when I come back.

Good question cjy2d.

When replying, I'm wondering if folks would please indicate how long before a workout they eat.

I had some peanut butter on whole wheat crackers about an hr before a run last night and I was worry I did. I felt like I had a jar of peanut butter in my stomach the whole way.

Thanks,
Rob

Depends what the workout is. Swimming and running, at least an hour. Biking I can eat ON the darn thing, it doesn't seem to matter (as long as I'm not doing accelerations).

Teaching spin, again at least an hour.

I'm probably a little different then most (and my wife wouldn't argue), but during the week, if I'm going to the gym (30 min car ride) I don't eat anything and slam down a cup of coffee. If I don't go the gym and working out from home, usually I'm up out of bed and out of the house in 10 min. tops. Usually just a couple of quick gulps of gatorade and that's it.

On the weekends when i typically do my longer workouts, usually a big bowl of cereal and some coffee about an hour or so before I work out.

Chris

Running-- about 1.5-2 hrs before, otherwise I end up with a brutal cramp. Swimming--at least 1 hour. Cycling--as long as it is something light(mostly carbs), I can eat just before I jump on my bike.

mornings before swimming - small bowl of cereal with soy an hour before

running - couple of wassa crackers half hour before (usually after work in evening)

biking - varies

1-2 hours pre workout 1 MRP - contains 40 grams protein and 24-40 grams carbs depending on brand.
Ones I prefer:
Myoplex
Prolab Lean Mass Matrix - Cinnamon Oatmeal

I typically have a fruit & grain bar about 45 minutes before a swim or run. Before my last race, I ate some peanuts and raisins about 2 hours before (several handfuls of each, about 200-250 cals) and ran very well. If it's a long run, I'll drink a carb drink, too, otherwise I normally wash it down with water.

I'm trying to change my eating/snacking somewhat; more cals in the morning, less in the afternoon - no eating after 7:00pm. So far, I seem to have a little more energy prior to my workouts, but last night's dreary rainy weather put a damper on me.

Joe, what time do you go to sleep and what time do you wake up? Make sure there's not too big of a gap between meals. Perhaps a slow digesting protein before bed? Chocolate whey and natural pb mixed in is a good mix.

for early morning workouts, i force myself to eat a 2-3 bite size piece of banana and drink water just before i go out. sometimes if i'm groggy, i'll drink a cup of coffee also. in the afternoon, i try to do about the same or have apple sauce. in my opinion, i'm finding i seem to feel best if i'm eating a very small snack just before i workout, have small snacks between meals, eat moderate portions for main meals and especially have a small snack before bed- fruit/milk/graham crackers or the like.

I try to hit the sack at 10:00, and I'm up at 5:45. The not-eating after 7:00 is more because I hate 'tasting' my food all night, even after brushing. If I'm out dancing, or running late in the evening, I'll have something to eat. Typically, I'm done with my workouts by 5:30 or 6:00pm, so I have a decent dinner to re-carb, then just take it easy in the evenings. I just know that my activity level tends to drop when I'm at home, and if I snack too late, it's just uncomfortable for me.

Peanut butter and jelly sammich, sometimes a V8 and a handful of peanuts.

this may be off topic, but since it was mentioned, I'm going to throw in my question. I'm okay with the pre-workout snacking, but I don't get home from the gym/workout until 9-ish at night. this means that other than a snack before I go to the gym and a midafternoon snack at work or school, I really haven't had a meal since noon. but, everybody says don't eat after 7pm... so, how do I get my evening nutrition and my workout and not eat after 7???

Actually, not eating after 7PM is more dieting advice than training advice. I've lost 30 lbs this year, and I wish to keep it off. I KNOW what happens if I snack too late. Keep in mind that tri-training is much different than dieting, and you'll still want to ingest carbs after working out to replenish your glycogen stores.

yes, I do understand that. but I am trying to diet as well... its just hard when I don't get home until 9pm... I work until 5pm, drive home [get there approx. 6pm], go for a run/or bike/or swim for about 1-1.5 hours, then I usually go to the gym to do some cardio or strength training afterwards, get home from the gym about 8:30-9... so I'm hungry, but trying to lose weight, but still hungry

2 Nature's Valley Peanut Butter or Almond granola bars

I would say you NEED to refuel post-workout, even if it's late. I'd just try not to overindulge .

a few mornings a week, i swim at about 6:30 am, so i usually eat and drink a little something almost as soon as i crawl out of bed at 6. 2-3 packets emergen-c mixed into 32 oz water, and either a banana or a luna bar. sometimes i drink half the water and eat half the banana or bar and save the other half for after the workout or for the next morning. i usually bike or run in the afternoons about an hour or so after lunch, so i don't do anything special besides bring along lots of water.

What doesn't work are Rajun Cajun sausages 45 minutes before a run. I hadn't felt that bad since I started run/walking in April. Ug.

-Frank

I'll have a banana, bagel or granola bars a couple of hours before a workout.

Mike