Should You Swim Hungry or Full?

Having a swimming pool in your backyard means you can swim anytime you want, which makes it easier to plan what you eat before a swimming session. While the idea that swimming with a full stomach could hurt you is a myth, you may be wondering exactly how much food is good for achieving your goals. Knowing how to eat based on your goals for fitness helps you make greater strides in your progress as a swimmer.

Swim with an Empty Stomach for Weight Loss

If you’re striving for a leaner physique, swimming first thing in the morning could help your body tap into more of its fat reserves. Some swimmers find it more comfortable to begin their workouts on an empty stomach, but you might need to be aware of potential challenges. For instance, swimming on an empty stomach could potentially lead to low blood sugar, dizziness, or fatigue that makes you need to stop. Make sure to monitor your health as you swim, and take a break to eat a light snack if you notice signs of low blood sugar. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic health conditions that impact your glucose levels or stamina, make sure to consult with a physician before swimming after fasting.

Eat a Light Snack for Endurance Swimming

Most people find that eating light meals before they swim gives them more energy and stamina. If you’re swimming a couple of hours after a bigger meal, having a light carb can give you more energy to last through longer swims. An apple, granola bar, or other healthy snack might be all you need to finally hit an endurance goal. If you’re swimming for an hour or more, you might also need a snack mid-workout or soon after to replenish your body’s energy stores.

Fuel Your Body for Vigorous Swims

Whether you’re swimming for a personal speed goal or training for a competition, you’re definitely going to want to eat before you start a vigorous training session. For this type of workout, pair a carb with a protein to fuel your body with energy and strength. While the carbohydrate will give you energy to sustain power strokes, you’ll find the protein helps you feel fuller for longer while stimulating muscle development. Yogurt with fruit is one option you might enjoy for powerhouse swims. Or you could pair eggs with toast for your morning swimming session.

Choose Easily Digested Foods

While you shouldn’t expect to experience an emergency in the water by swimming with a full stomach, you do want to avoid feeling heavy when you’re trying to float. Plus, some swimming strokes work the abdominal muscles to the max. You can avoid developing stomach cramps and other uncomfortable symptoms by selecting simple, easy-to-digest foods. Fruit, smoothies, and nuts are a few options to add to your pre-swim menu.

Whether you’re swimming for fitness, training, or relaxation, having the right pool makes all the difference. San Diego Pools designs and builds custom pools that fit your lifestyle and wellness goals. We’re the experts in pool design San Diego homeowners have trusted for more than four decades. Call us to start planning your perfect backyard pool today.