• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Foods to have before a run?

Since starting weekly parkruns in 2012, I just have a fresh fruit and vegtable juice from the juicer. No problems with energy levels at all. In fact, I'd say I feel more energetic having a liquid feed than anything else.

James
Not surprising, since liquids are supposed to be digested faster than solids.
 
You can do either something or nothing. Apart from 1 of my pb's in the gym, all were done fasted. None of "us" are Chris Froome (although he went low carb), Arnold Swazenegger etc, so the extremely small percentage (if anything) gain by pre or post workout food or portions is just bro-science.

There is an adjustment phase for training fasted, where energy levels are low, but this goes in time. Some electrolyte drink is good to drink, I would do water with lo salt; some low carbers put some salt on the tongue and down water.
 
Some electrolyte drink is good to drink, I would do water with lo salt; some low carbers put some salt on the tongue and down water.

I have a post exercise electrolyte drink of water with juice of half a lime and some pink Himalayan salt added - and plenty of ice!
 
I personally am unable to exercise but my grandson who is not diabetic but on a keto diet will have something on the lines of a sixteen egg omelette some beef steak well say a couple of steaks then take some protein shake to the gym with him when they where open and do a four hour work out on weights he finds he does not need carbs to give him the energy for exercising.

Now he is doing the weight training in his room and eating much the same diet he bought 60 eggs the other day and has used most of them over three days and filled my fridge with beef steak and chicken.

Mind you not the diet you may recommend normally but his hobby is body building.

Does he want a friend? He sounds like the ideal kind of person I’d like to have as a friend! I love training and all the science behind the food for exercise fascinates me too!! Haha x
 
Hi guys,
Now that I've stopped taking Lucozade (or any sugary drinks for that matter). And cutting my carbs down. What things would be good to eat or drink before going a run and how long before a run should I consume them?

Thank you
Hi there.. I would find Bananas really good before excerise or whole meal bread. Just takes a while to find whats right for you.
 
Hi there.. I would find Bananas really good before excerise or whole meal bread. Just takes a while to find whats right for you.
Those things are high in carbohydrates and would cause a sugar spike... Kind of depends on someone's type and whether they can bolus insulin for it.
 
My son regularly runs 4 miles without anything to eat first. The only time he bothers to think about having food first is when he does a marathon.
 
Back
Top