Pre/Post training meals

dan_forbes

This is more of a timing question.  I know that everything is individual and I will need to figure things out for myself.  With that being said, here was my situation.  I ate a lunch today before I rode (indoors) and it was tuna on crackers.  Typically meals before riding do not bother me usually because I do not eat too closely to my ride, but when I have eaten close to it, I haven't noticed anything.  This was within an hour and man did I feel a solid ball in my stomach the whole workout.  Never felt that before.  Was it because of the protein?  If you are forced to eat before you ride do you keep it primarily carbs?  Anyway, the ride was hard IF:99, TSS 98 so that didn't help either.  I feel like I'm rambling here... I still felt full after the workout.  Do I still use my recovery food/drink when feeling like I still have food in me? 

Dan

mattsull

I got a little sick just reading about tuna one hour before a ride.

marianne

TUNA?? TUNA???? tuna. wow. okay so cross that one OFF your list on what you can eat pre ride. I am with Matt on that one. now i have eaten tuna post workout for the protein/carb thing. but not before. sounds like you were at work and had that little lunch get up with the tuna and crackers? so maybe another "fast" food.. PBJ?? they make those already made up by Smuckers in frozen dept... a banana? that is fast and easy to grab. Baked sweet potato? okay bake this at home and then just take with you, mash it and microwave it. easy foods on the tummy... or 2 hours pre ride not one. m

ht001

I'm no expert. But I can tell you that Tuna wouldn't ever be on my pre-workout list of foods. But that's just me. Anyway...In my experience, timing and planning is really key for mid-day workouts. That planning has to start with what you eat and when you eat your b'fast, and then plans for what you'll eat and when you'll eat a snack a few hours before your mid-day workout. Then if you want tuna, save it for post-workout.

Part of your issue may also be the intensity of your ride. Your body isn't going to process and move stuff through your system when you're working hard. So your nutrition timing and food choices should reflect some consideration of the effort you're going to put forth. If you were going to be just riding along (JRA) on a social ride you probably would have been OK with whatever (dare I say, even tuna) , within the hour. Consider too that for workouts < or = 1:30 you probably don't need any additional calories right before to get you through. Just a well planned snack if you know you get hungry.

dan_forbes

Yes, all, I know it was a bad choice!!!! but I wasn't planning on riding that soon.  I'm not at work but home on spring break and whatever the family throws at me for free time I take it, just never had that feeling before.  Cross tuna off the list!!!  But it was soooooo good on Kashi crackers!  I think any protein will be crossed off.  I did a longer ride today and just had a normal breakfast and about a 2.5 hour gap and got a ride in.  I felt much better.  Thank you all.

Dan

 

mattsull

If I need quick calories within that 2 hour window before a workout, I'll go with banana or juice. Sometimes I will use gel or sports drink too. I like to go on a very light stomach.

Kitboo

Typically, it takes about 45-90 minutes for food to get from your mouth to the end of your small intestine. Faster if it's liquid. Slower if it contains fat (which delays gastric emptying). Way slower if you're dehydrated or with a high HR or exercising.
So if you're going to eat a real meal, then I'd wait at least an hour before exercising. Longer if the meal has some fat in it (like fried chicken, a burger, pizza).
If I need to get quick calories in before a workout (like I have less than one hour), I'll drink Naked Juice--about 300 Cal of it.

Michele Cellai

Dan- When life is getting in the way and I can't tell when the moment will come that I can bolt and workout, I start with a protein shake. Then I try to eat VERY small amounts of food and stay hydrated. But tuna- not until after!