What do you eat before an APFT?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:58:44 -0400

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

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:01:10 -0400

Just try something small as a nutrigrain bar.

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

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:04:49 -0400

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

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:24:19 -0400

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

CPT Chris Loomis — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:33:27 -0400

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

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:39:56 -0400

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

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:13:23 -0400

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

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:06:46 -0400

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

SFC Daniel Faires — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:15:11 -0400

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

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:41:01 -0400

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

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

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 20:17:40 -0400

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

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 21:32:49 -0400

Half an apple.

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

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:27:42 -0400

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

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:33:06 -0400

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

SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 16:15:02 -0400

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

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:37:20 -0500

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

Capt Tom Brown — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:42:35 -0500

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

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 11:19:24 -0500

1/2 a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

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

SGT Mark Halmrast — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:30:19 -0500

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

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 13:04:41 -0500

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

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 21:16:41 -0400

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