Eating before swimming

I guess I am boring. I eat the same things and make no changes whatsoever for either a swim practice or a meet. The reason is my body does not like change unless I make it months ahead of time. I just don't eat shortly before I swim and not because I get cramps; my body then has to use its energy to first digest the food and that is energy my swimming needs. I never found carbo loading to be much of a benefit for 3 swims a day during a meet. But when I get hungry at a meet, it is usually power bars. But there is a however here. I haven't a clue exactly what to do for an 18 mile swim. I haven't done a swim this far in 20 years. So this year I am experimenting. And not to hijack this thread, if anyone has done these long swims, I'd certainly love to hear what nutrition worked for you:help:. I have a feeling bananas and carb replacement drinks have a future in my long swim. Donna

I guess I am boring. I eat the same things and make no changes whatsoever for either a swim practice or a meet. The reason is my body does not like change unless I make it months ahead of time. I just don't eat shortly before I swim and not because I get cramps; my body then has to use its energy to first digest the food and that is energy my swimming needs. I never found carbo loading to be much of a benefit for 3 swims a day during a meet. But when I get hungry at a meet, it is usually power bars. But there is a however here. I haven't a clue exactly what to do for an 18 mile swim. I haven't done a swim this far in 20 years. So this year I am experimenting. And not to hijack this thread, if anyone has done these long swims, I'd certainly love to hear what nutrition worked for you:help:. I have a feeling bananas and carb replacement drinks have a future in my long swim. Donna