What to eat before swimming
Eating before training, whether it's swimming or any other sport, is essential. This is because the body needs fuel to burn, and only food can provide it with the energy it needs to carry out its activity.
For swimming, the issue becomes particularly delicate: eating too little or too long before could no longer be of any use, eating a lot or just before diving into the water would instead risk creating even serious digestion problems. Let's find out together what is preferable to eat before swimming to get up to 103 years in shape and health like this test tube swimmer:
Why it is important to eat right before swimming
When we dive into the water, the pressure inside the stomach increases substantially and an unpleasant gastro-esophageal reflux can be created with burning and acidity. For this reason, a correct diet before training in the pool is essential.
Furthermore, swimming leads to the burning of the reserve sugar stored in the muscles: lipids are used as fuel and, if we want to lose weight, it is important that it is the fat mass and not the lean mass that is used as a reserve. For this to happen, eating healthily is essential.
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What to eat before swimming and how long before jumping into the water?
First of all, the body must be well hydrated: it does not matter that we are about to jump into the water, drinking a lot is essential for the body to perform at its best! If you arrive in the water already well hydrated, you avoid cramps and the sudden loss of mineral salts. And if the workouts last a long time, it is better to continue to quench your thirst in small sips every now and then.
As for food, it is better to choose foods that are highly digestible, i.e. free of saturated fats and complex proteins. Therefore, heavy foods such as cheeses or carbonated drinks or alcohol should be avoided altogether. Green light instead to carbohydrates that will give us a lot of energy, but without ever exaggerating.
The meal must be done at least two and a half hours before in order to be digested and not risk entering the water while our digestive system is still busy (and fatigued), stealing precious blood from the muscles that should work while swimming.
What to eat before swimming in the morning?
The golden rule is: never skip breakfast! If you want to train in the morning, just eat little and at least one hour before entering the water.
You can choose, for example, between a couple of rusks with honey and a glass of milk and coffee; a cup of milk with (few) cereals; a small toast with freshly squeezed orange juice.
What to eat before swimming on a lunch break or in the late afternoon?
If you don't have time to have lunch or dinner before going to work out, remember to have a snack one hour earlier. You can choose between a toast or a fruit, or a yogurt with cereals.
The actual lunch or dinner will be postponed until after training.
What to eat before swimming in the early afternoon or evening?
In case you decide to train after lunch or dinner, always remember to allow at least a couple of hours to pass between meals.
Choose carbohydrates that will give you energy, but in small portions. A nice light pasta dish, for example, or a cereal soup.
And if you feel exhausted after training, here are some dietary advice against fatigue:
