Eating before swimming

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:11:17 GMT

okay for practice i eat 2 bowls of instant noodles and for meets i eat a footlong ultimate club

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:23:46 GMT

I've never had much luck with consuming carbs beforehand or during a workout. I did have some problems with low blood sugar during my first month of workouts though, when I got back into the water, and should probably have brought some. I don't feel like I need it at the moment but I'm not doing more than 1.5 hr workouts. I'd rather wait to eat until after my workout. I have a bit of extra body fat, like most swimmers. Might as well put it to use.

RE: Eating before swimming

norascats — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:12:15 GMT

I eat a chunk of cheese or meat before practice. I will drink coffee in the AM. If I eat bread before practice, I will crash about halfway through. I also have to drive 40 min to the pool.

RE: Eating before swimming

kellys — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:39:25 GMT

Obviously from everyone's responses we can see that people prefer to eat different things. From everything that I've read, you are supposed to consume 50-75 grams of carbohydrates along with 5-10 grams of protein per hour. I try to limit consumption of protein unless my workouts exceed 1 hour. The main thing is to experiment with what works for you.

RE: Eating before swimming

tjrpatt — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:46:50 GMT

I will do a meal replacement shake before morning practice. Meet: a bagel and cream cheese and a banana. Plus, diet coke to wake up in the morning. I know this is bad but it can't be any worse than people who have to have their starbucks fix in the morning.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:23:04 GMT

Just read this article from Tri Swim Coach - Caffeine Caffeine is the most commonly consumed drug in the world. Caffeine was previously on the IOC and WADA banned substance lists at higher urine concentrations, but has recently been removed. In the first test, subjects that took 330 mg of caffeine 1 hour prior to exercise had a 19% longer time to exhaustion compared to the placebo group that took decaffeinated coffee. Further studies have demonstrated that the ergogenic benefits of caffeine remain throughout the day. Caffeine use before exercise has also been proven to decrease the use of muscle glycogen by up to 30% in competitive cyclists during 90 minutes of cycling. Also, caffeinated beverages do not appear to cause dehydration during exercise when compared to water or sports drinks! Regular coffee drinkers do not have to abstain before a big race to get the benefits of caffeine, since several studies have demonstrated that there is little or no decrease in ergogenic effects of caffeine in habitual caffeine drinkers.

RE: Eating before swimming

Doug Adamavich — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:31:38 GMT

I almost always swim in the evening after work. Here is my routine: ~1600-1500 hrs: Eat a banana 1800-1900 hrs (practice): Drink either Accelerade or Propel throughout workout. This helps me train harder and reduces soreness. 1930: Moderate dinner, usually chicken or pork with either brown rice or potatoes and a couple different veggies (sometimes raw, sometimes cooked). 2100: Either a high-protein snack (almonds, protein shake, or ice cream) or (sometimes) a high carbohydrate snack (cookies or beer). This works well for me. Normally, I graze throughout the day on fruit, nuts, protein bars, green tea, and other food. My main meals are balanced with protein, carbs, veggies, and good fats. Your mileage may vary...

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 14:25:05 GMT

Coffee. Lots of it. With some milk of course. I find it very uncomfortable to swim on a fuller stomach. I figure that I've got the whole day to fuel up back on land. Flash back to the future...3 years later...I now have a slice of raisin bread toast...or an Eggo with blueberry jam and some whipped cream cheese. With lots of coffee still. Surprisingly I found a big increase in energy levels from even this small snack.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 10:08:16 GMT

For morning sessions I find that I can't eat a thing before I get in and for evening sessions I can't get in without eating quite a large meal. Something with rice works best for me.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 10:04:02 GMT

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

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 07:38:25 GMT

Morning practices:Totally hungry, I drink water during the practice Later practices: I do not eat anything 3 hrs before the practice, I drink black cofee and consume water as much as I can. I drink water during the practice. If I need to eat something before the practice, any kind of fruit is OK. The wort case scenario is to eat oily food like meatballs, hamburgers or pizza. I need at least 4 hours to digest these (sometimes more). Before the meets, I eat a good breakfast (2-3 hours before the meet), I eat bananas 1 hour before the meet and drink a lot of water. Don't ask me about the post-meets or post-practice diets.

RE: Eating before swimming

m2tall2 — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 10:09:04 GMT

I apologize for resucitating this thread if some of you feel it was "done". Regular days: I typically swim at about 6:30 am and have something like half a bagel or toast. Depending on my hunger level sometimes I'll throw in a mix yourself carnation instant breakfast. Afterwards, I'll have a piece of fruit (apple, banana, or raisins) and about 1/4 cup of nuts like walnuts or almonds. MEETS: However I was hoping people would want to further explore what they eat at a swim meet. I understand why people like to use gels, etc. just before a race. However, what about full day meets? It's been forever since I've done one, so I can't remember how I used to handle these. This weekend I am going to a 3 day meet. On a typical day, I need to eat regularly throughout the day. It keeps my whole mind and body functioning better. I'm afraid the meet is going to mess up my body's natural hunger pattern and I'll swim kind of off for the entire event. For example, Friday night warm-ups start at 5:00 pm, positive check-in required by 5:30 pm. I expect to swim the 800 free at around 8:00 or 8:30? When do I eat dinner? Should I just eat some healthy "snacks" beforehand and then fill-up after the race? Satuday shouldn't be as difficult since I should be done by around 1:30. Sunday, I'll have 5 events scattered between 10:30 am and 7:00 pm. That's a long day. How do people plan their meals for a long meet like this?

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:16:49 GMT

The Fish-- great question! I'm with you. Does anyone have any suggestions for liquid or gel snacks before evening practice? I eat during the day but I have to stop eating at 2 pm in order to keep it down and not feel like a brick. Practice is at 6 pm and I feel like crap up until I start swimming. Peanut butter, bananas, bagels, etc., are too bulky and weigh me down or come back up during the swim. Simple carbs put me into a sugar low (fruit, soda, Gatorade) unless it's right after a bulky lunch (and that's too early in the day). Has anyone tried GU gels? Thanks!

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:58:39 GMT

5:45 AM Practices: I eat nothing before the 1.5 hr practices. Drink water before and throughout the practice. If I practice 2 hrs w/ age group I use a sports drink (Power Bar drink) during the practice and maybe eat a banana before to prevent cramping. Now, as a kid, I would eat 2 pop tarts before my early AM practices. If I did that now, I'd feel like puking. Plus, I try and watch what I eat a bit more as an adult. Evening Practices: I eat a power bar 20-45 minutes before and drink water before, during, and after practice. I had one coach tell me that as long as the practice was 2 hours or less, I would not need the sports drink. And, as I don't want the calories that come with it (and I don't cramp up as it is), I avoid it. Meets: I will drink 1 diet coke (I avoid caffeine otherwise) and I do use the Gu gels which I love b/c they are easily digested. My favorite is chocolate or vanilla. Some flavors have caffeine and others don't, so look for it on the packaging. I feel they absolutely give me an extra boost. I take as directed on the package which is about 20 minutes before my swim. I also drink lots of water and Power Bar drink throughout the meet. This works for me. I always have to make sure that I don't feel heavy during meets or practice. This all seems to work well for me.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:16:07 GMT

Meets: A small swig of Mylanta or Pepto Bismol (to calm the digestive system :eek:), half of a cold, plain belgian waffle and water. If my stomach is up to it - I'll drink some gatorade (either orange or fruit punch, the other ones taste so funky). Practice: I don't like to have anything in my stomach while practicing. I'll take small sips of cold water - but that is about it.

RE: Eating before swimming

Michael Heather — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 12:54:34 GMT

Grilled cheese sandwich and Chocolate shake, usually while sitting on the blocks before my heat. It's a psych thing.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2003 14:38:22 GMT

Pasta - Bananas - approx 2hrs before swim

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2003 16:06:37 GMT

I try to swim around lunch time. I usually drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, then either a bagel with butter and jelly or some hot cereal at about 10:30. Sometimes a piece of fruit too. Anything more and I feel like a brick in the pool. After I am done with my swim (2500-3000 yards), I am very hungry.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2003 11:15:04 GMT

I swim in the late afternoon, but prior to that I have a glass of orange juice and perhaps one of two bananas, or maybe an apple. I can't swim on an empty stomach, but anything heavier than that won't work for me either. :) Peace...

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2003 10:48:12 GMT

decaf coffee (5.15 am) and then a sports bar and some water on the drive to the pool; I usually drink watered-down Gatorade during practice... I then have a bagel when I get home, and a nice cuppa tea, too... peace...

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2003 17:45:42 GMT

I can't eat before I swim, at least right before I swim. I need at least and hour or two or I get cramps which hurt. :mad: I however also can not swim on an empty stomach so it's a catch 22 in the mornings at 4 am. I have found that I can drink Gatorade before I leave to have energy and not get cramps. I've had to learn what I can and can not eat over the last two years after I got some ulcers. For the most part I know what to do now but sometimes I still get cramps.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2003 16:13:00 GMT

Some folks show up at the pool at 6 AM without eating anything - one person sometimes brings some coffee that she picks up at a nearby Dunkin Donuts (I think). I don't know how they do it. I can't swim on an empty stomach. I usually have some cereal with some crumbled pecans on top - I don't have any milk with it as dairy products are a no-no for me. I also have some tea - iced most of the time, but hot if it is cold out. I usually eat that around 5 AM.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2003 14:20:30 GMT

Coffee. Lots of it. With some milk of course. I find it very uncomfortable to swim on a fuller stomach. I figure that I've got the whole day to fuel up back on land.

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2003 10:26:14 GMT

an hour or more before the swim......i meant to type!!!!

RE: Eating before swimming

Former Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2003 10:24:41 GMT

tea no sugar just milk...three quarters of an hour before swimming mornings..maybe a bananna to prevent charlie horse cramps too... some tuna salad an hour or more day/evenings...also a banana for same reason massive egg,bacon sausage mushrooms tomato fry up after the morning swim,really hungry then