Best vs Worst Pre-training Meals

[BJJ Nation]

I've tried all sorts of foods before training and some were definitely better than others. Some snacks that have worked me have actually been fattier foods like almonds, high percentage cacao dark chocolate, bananas (not fatty, I know) or a couple of slices of cold cuts with cheese. As far as foods to avoid, I think I've seen more people fall victim to having had Italian food before class than anything else, hands down. Many a person has fleed the mat only to come back sickly and pale and say "I shouldn't have eaten that chicken parm before class." I'd be interested in hearing what are some do's and don'ts other people have for pre-training meals.

 

[j123]

I always thought those were excuses. Not in BJJ, but I was holding pads for a newer guy, and clearly he was tried, his excuse to bail before the class ended was BBQ chicken or something. Its not something new either, he's new, and doesn't have a decent cardio base.

As for me, I keep it more carb heavy and lower in fat. I try to finish my meal 2h before training. Thats what I find that works for me, some others at the gym prefer a protein heavy meal (for some reason), and obviously someone doing keto would be different as they're eating primarily fats.

For me really, the more important thing is having time in between, I can eat whatever, I just need that 2-3h of it settling in before class/rolling/etc

 

[Big Nasty Edison]

My post-jiujitsu meal is normally cottage cheese, cantaloup or watermelon juice and sprouted wheat berry toast with cream cheese.

 

[Based and White Pilled]

I prefer not to eat a lot of carbs within 2-3 hours before class and I don't eat anything really greasy at all if I plan on training that day. Greasy food messes me up pretty good.

If it's really close to training time, I won't eat anything but fruit.

I'm kind of a bitch when it comes to getting nauseous during a hard cardio session.

 

[fanboysareevil]

Heavy meals within an hour or so get me. Not much else does. It's different for everyone.

 

[Bataz]

Ham sandwich usually, pretty boring I know but thought I should tell the truth

 

[jack36767]

Dairy Before for me.. always equal bad. I have a pretty strong stomach but dairy tales so long to process it's never worth it for me. Everything else I can handle even if it isn't ideal

 

[Uchi Mata]

I've not found significant differences in terms of type of food, just amount. I have to keep it small but not too small to have enough energy without feeling sluggish. The only exception is I'm not going to eat anything really high in refined sugar right before class, a bag of Skittles is not going to serve you well.

 

[Matsukaze]

Fruit for sure.. maybe a handful of almonds too... no pasta though.. we have a guy that will eat pizza usually before class and that joker will throw it up every dang time

 

[MissMe]

Current favorite: tamagohan (steamed rice, crack an egg in it, add soy sauce, stir and enjoy) about 3 hours beforehand. That or a clif bar on the way to class.

As long as I don't have anything super greasy or soupy, or binge-eat something, immediately before class, I'm fine.

 

[RJ Green]

good:

water
banana
citrus
grapes


bad:

grains
spicy food/anything that gives you gas
dairy/milk/yogurt/sour cream
beer/pop/anything fizzy

post workout chow the fuck down.

if you're cutting weight watch yo salt, cut out refined sugar, anything that comes in a box, and save fried food for the weekends. if you're still over cut out milk to get rid of the mucus bloat.

 

[liuk3]

Do NOT eat bowls of chili before training...

 

[Wutang]

I had a student that loved double doubles from in n out right before he trained or competed - said he felt strong. Different strokes for different folks, I'd probably puke if I ate that.

 

[Human Bass]

I like pineapples as just right before trainning meal. It is light but fools my stomach enough.

 

[Rod1]

Nothing, i feel im at my strongest while fasting.

 

[Marfa]

Due to time constraints, I have a snack around 45 minutes before class: fat free yogurt + 3 almonds + spoonful of berries mixed together. It has never given me any problems.

On the other hand, I have trained BJJ 3 or 4 hours after having junk food or other heavy meals and performance wise it felt really bad, especially compared to other days with a similar intense class and a more healthy approach.

Good food (whatever that may mean for your body) makes the engine work better throughout the day, so don't bother with the wrong fuel.

 

[j123]

Dairy Before for me.. always equal bad. I have a pretty strong stomach but dairy tales so long to process it's never worth it for me. Everything else I can handle even if it isn't ideal

This is actually isn't too rare, rather uncommon actually. A couple of friend puked their guts out on their first fight taking in chocolate milk a few hours out.

 

[Dirty Holt]

Nothing.
Within 4 hours of class Im not eating anything. Anyone who does, Im in amazement. Practices for me are so hard, eating right before would be a death sentence.

 

[lechien]

Nothing before training.

I cannot imagine people eating couple of hours before rolling!

 

[71Fish]

Grains, granola are terrible for me. Even if I eat it 3 hours before class, as soon as I start rolling I feel bloated and uncomfortable.

For me healthy, fatty nuts are best. Satisfies any hunger for a long time and doesn't leave me feeling bloated and gassy.