What do you eat before an APFT?

2016-03-30T15:58:44-04:00

I hate being hungry in the morning, but if I eat breakfast before a PT test it comes back out during the run. What do you...snack on...before the test?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-03-30T16:01:10-04:00

Just try something small as a nutrigrain bar.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 30 at 2016 4:04 PM

2016-03-30T16:04:49-04:00

The Night Before
The night before, eat a large meal full of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Don’t plan your cheat meal the night before an APFT!

The Morning Of
Something small - a protein bar.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 30 at 2016 4:24 PM

2016-03-30T16:24:19-04:00

Half a bagel (or mini-bagel) with peanut butter...your body needs some fuel before working out.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Mar 30 at 2016 4:33 PM

2016-03-30T16:33:27-04:00

I used to be a triathlete and I've run marathons.....

The SGM is completely on point. So is everybody else for that matter.

In the three days before you need to eat well. Focus on carbohydrate loading with pastas and rice. Then the morning of (this is what I do) drink 6oz Gatorade, half a cup of coffee, and a bagel with peanut butter.

Rise earlier and eat earlier. This HUGE.

If the bagel is too much then try eating a sports gel in the morning and cut the fluids listed above in half.

(I've also been known to eat two MREs prior to bedtime three days in a row prior to bedtime in lieu of carbo loading .)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 4:39 PM

2016-03-30T16:39:56-04:00

Don't try anything new. The day of the APFT is not the time to experiment. I like a good meal the night before and hopefully a good bowel clearing as well. The morning of I may do a carb drink a couple hours out then only water, and not filling up on either. Ensure you are hydrated but not full. Remember the events are not real endurance but are two, two minute muscle burn outs then two miles that won't (or shouldn't) be super long, not like a ten mile ruck or a half marathon, where carb loading is really needed starting days ahead of time.
Do your rock drills. If you can perform your practice PFT on a boiled egg and a Yoohoo and feel great after then more power to you and good luck. As you get older, the diet has to change too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 6:13 PM

2016-03-30T18:13:23-04:00

Nothing , i usually knock down a apple flavored 5hour energy shot and im good to go lol

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 30 at 2016 7:06 PM

2016-03-30T19:06:46-04:00

You need 100-200 cals to "jump start" your body. It's really not that much. As SGM Matthew Quick said, half a bagel with some peanut butter.

My pre-race (half & full marathon) routine is 1 bagel, 1 chocolate milk, 1 coffee, 3 hours before I run, and I time it so I can hit the bathroom BEFORE I run (I've got it down to a science).

The 2 days before are the really important days though. You need to make sure you have energy (carbs) in your system, electrolytes (salt), and you are properly hydrated. I don't know if the Army does Height & Weight on the same day as the APFT, but I'm UP about 4~ pounds on race day because of Water/Glycogen (Not a big deal because I trim previously), but it's something to be aware of.

Day before make sure to have a bag or chips or some fries. Don't overdo it, but a "bit" of salt can help with cramping. Eat a well balanced meal.

2 days before make sure you get lots of sleep and eat well.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Mar 30 at 2016 7:15 PM

2016-03-30T19:15:11-04:00

I'm a bad example but it was coffee for me and water but usually lots of coffee

Nope I was never a fast runner

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 30 at 2016 7:41 PM

2016-03-30T19:41:01-04:00

Cheese pizza the night before, PB&J the morning of.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 30 at 2016 8:17 PM

2016-03-30T20:17:40-04:00

I know this might seem totally absurd and wholly illogical however when I was in I always tried to eat as little as possible beforehand. I generally found the extra bulk would slow me down considerably as well as frequently cause me GI problems or an upset stomach for whatever reason even now I'm afraid if I do any exercise of any kind. I don't say that in expectation of agreement merely that I genuinely found that to be true for me for whatever reason.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 9:32 PM

2016-03-30T21:32:49-04:00

Half an apple.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 12:27 PM

2016-03-31T12:27:42-04:00

I usually nibble on a power bar, taking a bite or two between each APFT events.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-03-31T12:33:06-04:00

I nibble on a power bar during the APFT, taking a few bites between each event.

Response by SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds made Mar 31 at 2016 4:15 PM

2016-03-31T16:15:02-04:00

Honestly, I do not eat anything anytime after 2100 the previous night. I attempt to drink a heavy amount of water or Gatorade (whatever is readily available) but no, I personally do not eat anything. I have always had a bad reaction in the pit of my stomach prior to APFTs. The only issue is when you drink too much water prior, there may be the chance you have to relieve yourself and sometimes, you realize it just a little to late.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 10:37 AM

2018-01-05T10:37:20-05:00

drink water the week of and pasta the night before and then a banana or something morning of

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 5 at 2018 10:42 AM

2018-01-05T10:42:35-05:00

How did this work out for you and what do you do now??

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 11:19 AM

2018-01-10T11:19:24-05:00

1/2 a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jan 10 at 2018 12:30 PM

2018-01-10T12:30:19-05:00

Bananas.
They taste the same coming back up as they do going down.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 1:04 PM

2018-01-10T13:04:41-05:00

Nothing. I have tried having a nutrigrain bar or a banana before an APFT, but for some reason it just throws me totally out of whack.

The night before I usually have a solid meal composed of protein, carbs and some fruit. I stop eating no later than 7 p.m.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2019 9:16 PM

2019-10-03T21:16:41-04:00

Honey sticks on your way to the track.
They provide natural sugars that will last the length of the 2-mile event.