What and when should I eat for energy during exercise?
Asked by anonymous on Nov 18, 2008
in Fitness
If I were to eat before exercise, when is the best time to eat for effective energy? For example, I normally eat a energy bar before my basketball practice. It that a good choice? When is the best time to eat so I am full of energy when I go exercise?
Answer
Ideally, you should eat a full meal, such as one that contains a grain or a starchy vegetable, lean meat, green or orange vegetables, fruit and 8 oz of milk about 4 hours before you exercise. And then, 20-30 minutes before practice starts, drink a carbohydrate-rich beverage such as 100% fruit juice. An energy bar and 8 oz of juice have roughly equal amounts of carbohydrate, but the juice might be digested more quickly. You will have to decide. See a suggested list of pre-exercise foods from the Guide to Sports Medicine at About.com.
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