eating while working out

inashia · 09-10-2007, 08:46 PM

i was in the bookstore today getting The Eat Clean Diet (yeah me) and was scanning through some other books. and i cant remember what book i saw this in (or it could have been on terracottas site) but it said that its ideal to eat atleast 30min before you workout. if you arent able to then you could drink a protein shake while working out.
im usually not able to eat 30 min before i do my am cardio. see i work 12hr shifts and when i have to be at work at 6am, i try really hard to get up at 3 for cardio. then start getting ready for work by 4:15 atleast.
is this true that i can have my protein shake during, and still have my post-workout meal?

Amanda76 · 09-10-2007, 10:07 PM

Yup, you want to keep feeding the muscle. If you can't eat close enough to your workout, you're better off having a protein shake during your workout than not eating at all. That little protein shake isn't going to do much for full recouperation (remember you're drinking it because you couldn't have a meal PRIOR to working out...it's replacing that meal, not your post-workout meal) so you do need to eat a full meal post workout.

Just re-read and realized you were talking about cardio...the drinking a protein shake during your workout normally has to do with weight training and is referring to more of a meal-replacement type shake. Pre morning cardio, I'd slam back a protein shake that is as close to all protein as possible (or just a BCAA supp) mixed with about 4 oz of water (it will take you seconds to accomplish that) and drink water during your workout.

fitqueeen · 09-11-2007, 01:27 AM

I eat about 1 1/2-2 hours before working out to allow enough time for digestion, because otherwise all the blood hangs out in my stomach and I have a hard time in the weight room. I eat a substantial breakfast, so I need the digestion time. (It's also no fun burping up breakfast while you're doing sit-ups!) Complete evacuation of your meal from the stomach takes the body at least 2 1/2 hours, if not 3 or 4. (Depends on the size, fat, fiber, and protein content of the meal, which tends to slow digestion down) So, I work out for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and toward the end, I enjoy a banana and a protein shake, which gives me the energy to complete my workout with gusto! It also digests very quickly, and does not cause the blood to rush to my stomach and away from my working muscles.

I noticed greater muscle gains when I started eating in the middle of my workouts.

Then, I take another shake afterwards, and then I eat a nice big meal.