Should you eat before swimming? Yes, no and “it depends” explained

When should you eat before swimming?

Eating first helps most when you need the energy:

• Longer or harder sessions
• Lessons straight after work
• Evening swims, when lunch was a long time ago

For those, something small 1 to 2 hours before is a good rule of thumb. For what to eat, see what to eat before swimming.

When you can swim without eating

For a short, easy swim, it's personal preference. Some people feel better swimming first thing on an empty stomach, and others don't. I won't claim that swimming fasted burns more fat, because that isn't what the sources here look at.

Signs you needed to eat before swimming

If you feel flat or light-headed, or you can't finish the set, you probably needed something beforehand. If you feel dizzy or unwell in the water, stop and get out. Dizziness that keeps happening is a question for your GP.

Is it dangerous to eat before swimming?

No. The American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council reviewed the evidence and found no evidence that eating before swimming causes drowning. The International Life Saving Federation's position statement covers the same ground. If you want the detail, read how long after eating can you swim?

FAQs