Although it might not sound like such a big deal, knowing what and when to eat before swimming is paramount if you plan on doing it right. It’s a vital part of preparing to go swimming like a pro.

Yes, swimming is an excellent exercise method. Sure, swimming can help reduce your body fat. And, of course, swimming is great for weight loss. But, we repeat, only if you do every aspect of it correctly. So, let’s see how you should eat before hopping to one of the gyms with pools in San Diego.

Is it OK to swim on an empty stomach?

Swimming is one of the best types of exercising methods out there. And that’s not just us saying that – the California Department of Public Health would agree too. However, in order for swimming to be as effective, you need to know how to do it, the dietary aspect included.

When it comes to swimming on an empty stomach, the answer is twofold. On the one hand, there are situations in which swimming on an empty stomach is good, while, at other times, not eating before swimming is far less than ideal.

• If you’re aiming to lose a lot of weight, then you should definitely jump in an hour or so before your first meal. Since the carbohydrate supplies in your body have been depleted as you were sleeping, your body will burn fat, thus making you lose a ton of weight in the process.
• However, if you plan on building muscle mass through swimming, it’s not a great idea to go swimming before you’ve had anything to bite. Just make sure to give it an hour after eating, ok? Sometimes, you first need to burn some fat, but you also need to build muscles, and, for that, you need nutrients.

Can you swim after eating a meal?

Can you swim after eating a meal? Yes, you can. Can you swim immediately after eating a meal? Yes, you can, but you definitely shouldn’t. There is a fine balance between what and when you should eat before swimming.

You see, having a hefty meal right before you hop in for a spot of swimming can be potentially detrimental to your body, and, sometimes, downright dangerous. That is why you should definitely inquire more thoroughly into the whole topic of swimming and eating.

Why shouldn’t you swim after eating?

Again – nobody’s saying that you should only swim on an empty stomach. Far from it. But, you should really refrain from swimming as soon as you eat. If you fail to do so, you risk developing serious cramps which, in turn, can make your experience in the water quite dangerous.

When you exercise, your nervous system tries to stimulate blood flow to blood vessels and heart, which causes your arteries and veins to contract. However, after eating, your nervous system will also attempt to cut the blood flow to the muscles, blood vessels, and heart, and divert it to the digestive tract.

It is because of these conflicting signals that swimming after eating is potentially dangerous. Neither your muscles nor your digestive organs will end up receiving enough blood supply, and the tissues can begin to cramp up. And, as we all know – cramps in water are a serious problem.

What to eat after swimming?

Eating adequate food after swimming is essential for achieving good fitness results. However, instead of providing you with a list of top 10 post-swim meals, we’re going to give you a couple of pointers on how to eat well after a good swimming session.

• Always eat within an hour of finishing your swimming routine.
• You should try and eat a high carb meal balanced with a good portion of proteins.
• Since your body takes longer to digest carbs, add yogurt, juice, or a banana to your meal.
• Stay away from spicy food after swimming, as it can affect your health badly.
• Whatever you do, never overeat after swimming.

“What are the finest gyms with pools in San Diego?”

If you’re looking for a place to start swimming right now, we have to disappoint you – the situation being as is, you definitely can’t go to a gym with a swimming pool. But, when all this passes, it’s good to know what the best place is and how you can reserve a spot for you.

The Plunge San Diego offers the best ambience and the most modern swimming pool for all your exercising needs. When the pandemic ends, you can either stop by on your way to Seaport Village, or you can contact us today and inquire about the possibilities. We’re waiting!