Workout Protein Pancake

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Before a long run, I strive to eat a 400 – 500 calorie breakfast (+ a post-run breakfast) to ensure I have the necessary energy to get through my workout.  By the time I wake up, I haven’t eaten anything for at least 9 hours, and my tummy is typically growling.  I do believe you can train your body to eat breakfast, a habit that I think is pretty clutch for runners – as well as everyone else.  It’s true, you know – eating breakfast helps you live longer!

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Anyway…

 

My normal pre-long run breakfast is a peanut butter sandwich with a banana.  But I wanted to try something new!  This breakfast combines all the necessary components for a fueling breakfast – carbohydrates, sugar, and protein.  🙂

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Workout Protein Pancake

 

Ingredients (for one serving):

 

  • 1/4 cup whole wheat pancake mix
  • 1/4 cup oatmeal
  • 2 tablespoons soy milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder (I used brown rice protein)
  • Fruit for topping
  • Syrup for topping

 

Directions:

 

  • Grease and heat a griddle on medium heat
  • Combine all ingredients except fruit and topping and shape into a pancake form on the griddle
  • Cook until golden brown and carefully flip.
  • Cook the other side.
  • Top with fruit and syrup.
  • Enjoy!

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I’ll let you know how well this fuels me through my workout at lunch!

 

I only need to let food digest for about 30 – 45 minutes before running so it’s time for me to get out of here. 🙂

 

What do you eat before workouts?  How long do you have to wait for digestion?

{ 102 comments }

 

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life September 28, 2010, 8:44 am

    I usually go for peanut butter toast and a banana. If I eat anything too dense I end up with stomach trouble, and since this works for me I haven’t really changed it. Have fun on your run!

    • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete September 28, 2010, 11:59 am

      I am with you there, Cyndi! My stomach is so sensitive, but I do need to eat something in the morning and toast usually does the trick for me. Then, I have to wait at least an hour otherwise I lose my breaky on the trails!

  • Freya September 28, 2010, 8:46 am

    If I’m doing a short workout (under 1hour) I find that a piece of fruit and a few rice cakes is perfect, and I only need wait 25mins or so 🙂 anything longer and I have something more substantial. Before double digit runs (12miles +), I tend to have a breakfast cookie or toast, and have to wait an hour. On Sunday (my 18miler!!!!) I only waited 20mins, and sure paid the price…

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday September 28, 2010, 8:55 am

    I usually have to eat before I workout. Especially in the morning.

    But it takes me about 45minutes to digest.

  • Tina September 28, 2010, 8:56 am

    I like eating something light but still balanced, like you. If I eat a bowl of oats or something heavier I have to wait to workout.

  • JenATX September 28, 2010, 8:57 am

    thats a behemoth pancake!

    pre-workout meals are hard for me because I have terrible indigestion & working out makes it worse. This pretty much rules out peanut butter for me because burping up peanut butter during a workout is miserable. A cup of cereal doesnt fill me up as much as I would like, but at least I’m not tasting it an hour later

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) September 28, 2010, 8:57 am

    This looks awesome and so thick!
    I normally have to wait about 30-60 minutes depending on the time of day and what I ate. If it is just a short workout, I get by with splitting my meal and eating half before the workout and half after.

  • skinnyrunner September 28, 2010, 8:59 am

    im boring and lame, i always eat a clif bar before a long run. need to break out of my rut!

  • Amanda September 28, 2010, 8:59 am

    Before a shorter run or a gym workout I normally eat some toast with jam, for longer runs I normally try to eat some oatmeal with soymilk. I usually have to wait about 30 minutes afterwards to eat.

  • Dori September 28, 2010, 9:01 am

    Before I run I usually drink a vegetable juice because once I eat any solid food I get painful cramps — even if I run 6 hours later. Last week before my 8 miler I didn’t have any vegetables to make juice, so I just had Shot Blocks and gatorade (and more during my run) and I did great. But before most long runs and before my half marathons, always drink my green juice!

  • Laura @ Tidbits September 28, 2010, 9:02 am

    That looks so yummy!!
    I’m still trying to figure out what I need to eat/how long I need to wait for morning runs. I do however do most of my runs after work round 6pm and find a snack of an apple with a few spoons of peanut butter eaten just before 5 is the perfect fuel for me.

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story September 28, 2010, 9:04 am

    I’ve found what works for me is oatmeal with banana and a little brown sugar and a small cup of coffee before my run and then some type of eggs and fruit (sometimes bacon and/or toast or potatoes…I get REALLY hungry sometimes!) after my run. 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg September 28, 2010, 9:05 am

    Wow– I love how thick that pancake is!!! Before I workout in the morning, I usually have half a banana with a big smear of pb. Anything too heavy and I can feel it coming up later (sorry, gross but true).

  • Carly (Swim, Run, Om) September 28, 2010, 9:05 am

    This is something I’m still struggling with, especially as someone still losing weight. For example, a long run for me is still anything over three miles (like I am doing four miles tomorrow). Do I still need 400-500 calories? It can be very confusing …

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:07 pm

      If you’re trying to lose weight, the key is not to eat back your calories. If I were you, I would have toast with PB before my run and then a cup of yogurt or fruit with nuts afterwards. Basically split your breakfast in two!

  • The Peanut Butter Addict September 28, 2010, 9:05 am

    If it’s in the morning, I usually have a piece of toast with pb + banana and wait around 45mins-1 hr. If it’s mid-day, it’s at least 2 hrs after a regular meal, or 1 hr after a snack. Right now I’m waiting post pb+banana to go exercise 🙂

  • grocery goddess jen September 28, 2010, 9:07 am

    Ugh, I cannot eat before a workout in the morning. I typically workout first thing and eat breakfast right after. On Saturday I ate one hour before an interval run, and by the end of the run I felt like I was going to throw up! When I’m doing longer runs the only thing I can consume during them is liquid, like gatorade; anything with fiber makes me sick, too.

  • Jazz September 28, 2010, 9:09 am

    I’m like you, I can eat a regular sized breakfast and be running within 20- 30 mins.. I guess I have a stomach of steel. My hubby on the other hand can’t eat ANYTHING before he runs.. I am trying to get him to eat a little without success!

  • Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans September 28, 2010, 9:10 am

    I try for a carb protein combo like peanut butter on toast. Depending on the length of the run I will take in more calories along the way (Cliff Bloks or sports drink) so I don’t need a heavy breakfast.

  • Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) September 28, 2010, 9:12 am

    I like to eat oatmeal with PB and banana – and not just for workouts, any day will do! That stuff really sticks with you!

  • tina September 28, 2010, 9:14 am

    have you always been able to eat right before you run?

    i know for me, i need at least 3 hours after eating for my food to digest…. i ran 11 miles at 11am on saturday after having a protein smoothie at 6am and not eating until after my run! i do think i need to start adding some sort of food/gu to my long runs… do you feel like that makes you faster???

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:08 pm

      hmm i think it’s gotten easier over the years to eat before runs.

      i definitely think you need to fuel up if you’re running 11 miles. your body will subconsciously begin to slow when it realizes its fuel levels are getting low <-- proven scientific fact from runners world!

      • tina September 28, 2010, 10:19 pm

        interesting fact!!! i have a friend who makes a “real food” goo that i am going to try this weekend- i’ll let you know how it goes!

  • Stacey September 28, 2010, 9:15 am

    Yummy!!!! My usual pre-workout breakfast involves pb and banana too 😀 It’s the best, and has never let me down. Hope you have a great day Caitlin!

  • Camille September 28, 2010, 9:18 am

    Usually I have my standard oats before a run. I like to allow at least an hour for digestion. If I drink coffee, then I allow for an hour and a half or more!

  • megan September 28, 2010, 9:19 am

    I always try to eat 2 hours before workouts. My stomach is so sensitive and otherwise it doesn’t go well!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman September 28, 2010, 9:19 am

    Yikes, that’s a monster pancake. I work out after work, so I don’t have to eat anything beforehand. I just eat a snack around 4 pm and I’m good to go.

  • ashleigh September 28, 2010, 9:20 am

    Those look delicious. I don’t really like pancakes… Can’t remember the last time I had one, and now I am craving them.

    When I workout in the AM I usually just have half of a bar. Before I go for a longer run on the weekends I try to have something bigger like eggs and toast.

  • Amy B @ Second City Randomness September 28, 2010, 9:20 am

    I still have a hard time understanding how people don’t actually wake up hungry. There are very very few times where I’ve skipped breakfast- my stomach would hate me!

    When I have a long run planned, it’s still usually the standard oatmeal I have (which is bulked up with peanut butter, cereal, flax, protein powder, or whatever).

  • Michele September 28, 2010, 9:22 am

    Recharging requires alone time and some silence. Exercise provides both, and when I don’t exercise for a few days (and on occasion a few more), I go back to it and have forgotten how AMAZING it makes me feel.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat September 28, 2010, 9:25 am

    Yumm that looks great! I love adding protein to my pancakes too – it gives them so much more staying power!

  • Liz September 28, 2010, 9:27 am

    I’m usually an almond butter on toast girl (with bananas if I have them). I only have to wait 30-45 minutes too. Enjoy your run!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) September 28, 2010, 9:28 am

    I know you can train your body to eat breakfast. Growing up I never liked eating right when I woke up, but now I crave it. It just takes getting into the routine 🙂

  • Marina September 28, 2010, 9:29 am

    A chunk of bread with some spread does it for me, if I’m going early in the morning. I don’t really have to wait to digest, I can go right away 🙂

  • Kelly September 28, 2010, 9:37 am

    It takes me so long to digest, I would have to eat something like that at least 2 hours before I wanted to run.

  • emma-kate September 28, 2010, 9:38 am

    For shorter workouts/runs, nothing (too early in the morning usually to face eating anything!), but for my long runs – the classic peanut butter and banana sandwich, and a cup of coffee.

  • Corey @ The Runner's Cookie September 28, 2010, 9:40 am

    I never skip breakfast – and also have 2 breakfasts if doing a long run or tough workout. I need 45-60 minutes to digest normally, but 2 hours if I’m racing.

  • Angharad September 28, 2010, 9:43 am

    Blimey! If I eat a breakfast that big (i.e. normal size!) then I have to wait at least 1.5 hours, if not 2 before running. Otherwise, all I can muster is a banana or a slice of toast. Lame!
    Hope the run goes well!

  • Jennifer September 28, 2010, 9:44 am

    love the pancake recipe! I put my blueberries and some sliced banana in the pancake batter so they cook a ittle, too – yum!

  • Bee Goes Bananas September 28, 2010, 9:56 am

    That looks delicious. A perfect pre- or post-workout meal!

    Let us know how it sits in your stomach? I often get digestive problems if I eat before running. I’m still trying to work that out!

    Any ideas?

  • AllieNic @ Frisky Lemon September 28, 2010, 9:58 am

    I heart your monster pancake! I love doing that too– making one, huge pancake…Your recipe looks great! Might have to try it…

    I usually work out in the evenings (after work) so I try to eat a snack about two hours before– I’ve read that pre-workout meals are most useful when they’re eaten a while before so that you have a chance to absorb the nutrients. It’s usually an apple with almond butter, or fruit with beef jerky.

    On the weekends I work out in the mornings (I actually prefer this) and I usually eat a banana with almond butter or a monster pancake about an hour before I work out.

  • Ariffa September 28, 2010, 9:59 am

    I usually eat a normal filling breakfast [yogurt mess or overnight oats] but wait about 3 hours to work out, im still looking for my perfect -non vomit enducing- pre-workout meal =(

  • Britt September 28, 2010, 10:00 am

    I always eat before a run. If it’s under an hour, I find that I can handle a bowl of cereal as long as I don’t put a ton of milk in there. For my longer runs (I’m at 11 miles right now), Luna bars having been working really well for me so far. I tried a banana once and it did not sit in my stomach well…but then I get up pretty early so my food usually has under 30 minutes to digest.

  • Jackie September 28, 2010, 10:01 am

    Oatmeal and a banana!!!
    Im usually too afraid to eat too much even before long runs (more than 10 miles) so i will always be sure to bring calories with me!

    I tend to wait 30-45 min.

  • Sara September 28, 2010, 10:05 am

    Before a long run, I always eat a bagel with some type of nut butter and a banana. It is always way more food than I want to eat but I know from experience that my body needs it. I’ve also discovered that if I run more than about 16 miles, I need to have solid food on my run. My first 20 miler, I ended up walking the last five miles home in tears because I hit a wall and just had nothing left. Proper fueling is SO important!

  • Wei-Wei September 28, 2010, 10:09 am

    Aww, man. Aren’t there ANY recipes that are high in protein that don’t use protein powder? 🙁

    • julia September 28, 2010, 12:41 pm

      You can try using cottage cheese in pancakes, baked goods etc to bump up protein, or you can always top things off with greek yogurt too! 🙂

      • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:09 pm

        good suggestions julia!!

  • Johanna B September 28, 2010, 10:10 am

    I’ve never really planned a pre-workout snack even for my hour long walks. I drink lots of water during the walk but that’s about it. I may have to rethink it though cuz I”m usually pretty wiped out if I go more than an hour. Thanks for all the comments.

  • Sarah September 28, 2010, 10:10 am

    I’m the same way – about 30-45 minutes. People think I’m crazy for even eating anything before running, but otherwise I’ve got nothing.

  • lisasfoods September 28, 2010, 10:12 am

    My favorite pre-run meal is half a bagel or toast with some peanut butter and banana. I can handle smoothies and cereal or oatmeal too, but I think bread products are the most stable meal for my stomach. I usually have to wait at least an hour though; if I just have a piece of fruit beforehand, then I can go in 20-30 minutes.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) September 28, 2010, 10:12 am

    I always always eat before long runs and long workouts. Before short workouts, it’s usually just a cup of coffee and maybe a piece of fruit since I usually work out soon after waking.

  • Michelle @ IronDivas September 28, 2010, 10:15 am

    I’m more of a scoop PB out of the jar girl, maybe with some toast, and jammin a banana in my mouth on the way out the door… I really need to get in the habit of planning my breakfast better. I’m not up to long runs yet, but I can definitely tell the difference in my energy levels, even just doing 5ks, when I do not eat properly before.

  • Meg September 28, 2010, 10:15 am

    I ALWAYS have to eat right when I wake up, especially if I’m about to workout. Unless it’s earlier than 5 or 6am. This pancake looks amazing, and perfectly topped with blueberries – I love them in and on my pancakes 🙂

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete September 28, 2010, 10:17 am

    That pancake looks fabulous!

    Before a morning workout I will have a small bowl of oatmeal + banana or toast + PB. If I am working out after work I will have a few dates + PB or 1/2 banana or 1/2 larabar. I need to wait 20-30 minutes before working out, but I do need something in my belly. My husband works out on an empty stomach or he feels ill — I feel ill WITH an empty stomach.

  • Jess @ atasteofconfidence September 28, 2010, 10:20 am

    I have to eat before I workout! I usually have oatmeal with some PB, and I wait about 30 minutes.

  • Heather September 28, 2010, 10:25 am

    I sadly have to wait a full hour to digest or I cramp up. this means on LR mornings I have to get up really early!

  • Amber K September 28, 2010, 10:36 am

    Oatmeal or cereal is the first thing I eat every morning. I usually need to wait about an hour to let it digest and for everything else to *ahem* move along.

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write September 28, 2010, 10:49 am

    Peanut butter toast is my go-to breakfast.

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! September 28, 2010, 10:49 am

    What a YUMMY breakfast! =) I like WW bagel with peanut butter but your pancake tops that of course.

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In September 28, 2010, 10:52 am

    I think I would have to wait longer to digest a breakfast like that – I’m jealous!
    Also, is there something I could use instead of pancake mix? Would just WW flour + some baking powder work?

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:10 pm

      I bet that would work!

  • Marian September 28, 2010, 10:57 am

    Before my morning runs I usually just have half a banana or a small piece of toast with fruit spread (TJs brand is great), and I wait about 15 mins. For double digit runs I always have a more substantial breakfast (pb sandwich, etc….you must must must try a peanut butter sandwich with PUMPKIN PIE SPICE sprinkled!) and wait at least 30-45 mins….if I’m going to be out for more than 1.5 hours I’ll take a gu with me too. Caitlin, do you prefer Gus or hammer gel?

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:10 pm

      I like Clif Shots the most because they are organic!

  • Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice September 28, 2010, 11:04 am

    I also wake up hungry but I’m not a runner. 😀 I don’t eat right away though. I usually sit down with a mug of coffee for 30 minutes, do an hour of yoga, then eat my breakfast. I just can’t get myself to wake up early enough to give myself time to digest before working out.

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks September 28, 2010, 11:06 am

    I usually have to wait an hour…longer if my breakfast was dairy. My body REALLY does not like to run with yogurt or cereal in there. It does better with stuff like PB sandwiches, bagel or eggs and toast.

    That’s only if we’re talking about running though. With regular gym work, I don’t need to wait so long and yogurt/cereal is a-ok.

  • Chelsea at Striking Balance September 28, 2010, 11:08 am

    When I run (which isn’t often) I usually have to do it on an empty stomach, or maybe just something small like half a banana with peanut butter, or a couple bites of toast with PB to get rid of the starving feeling. I’m never running for that long anyways so it’s enough to fuel me through. When I’m just doing a normal workout (elliptical, bike, weights, etc) I can usually eat a pretty normal breakfast (oatmeal, etc) and just wait about 30-40 minutes and I’m good to go.

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) September 28, 2010, 11:24 am

    I always eat before I work out. Always. When I used to get up before work and work out, I couldn’t. Literally. If I am going to be doing a high intensity work out (the ones where some where in them you feel like you *might* actually throw up) I have to wait an hour after eating. ex: spin class or a cardio/ free weight work out… If I’m going to take a bike ride outside or elliptical I can eat right before doing it…. right before meaning in 20ish- 30 min I am fine.

    I’ll usually have WW toast with pb or ab with banana OR oatmeal with egg whites and nutritional yeast.

  • Katheryn September 28, 2010, 11:31 am

    I hate eating first thing in the morning, but I exercise early, so I do what I have to do. Saturday’s are my long runs, so I make a bowl of oatmeal with chia, nuts, cinnamon, and berries. 30-45 minutes of digestion and I’m outta there. On other running days I typically just eat a date or two and that’s good enough. The other three days are lighter exercise days and I will usually eat a date or nothing. Works for me!

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie September 28, 2010, 11:36 am

    Oh my goodness it’s a pancake monster! I’ve never seen quite such a thick pancake in my life. I now want one of course.

  • Johanna B September 28, 2010, 11:42 am

    Caitlin, gave your post a shout-out on my blog. I think you brought up a point that I haven’t given much thought to and that’s fueling my exercise. Thanks for bringing it up and all those who commented. I now have a good starting point for when my orthopedic guy lets me walk again.

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:11 pm

      Yay thanks for the shout out!

  • Susan@MomSwimBikeRun September 28, 2010, 11:54 am

    I always amaze my husband b/c I can eat whatever I want and then go workout right away. For whatever reason food in my tummy doesn’t bother me. Weird? Before a race I do stick to the same thing, peanut butter toast and red gatorade.

  • Teacherwoman September 28, 2010, 12:00 pm

    The only thing I usually eat before a workout is just a half of a banana. Sometimes if it’s a longer workout I will have a half of a whole wheat english muffin. But, most of my workouts are right away in the morning, so I don’t need to eat before if it’s less than 40 min. long.

  • Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon September 28, 2010, 12:09 pm

    I love pancakes! This weekend we made Strawberry-Banana-Walnut pancakes and they sure did hit the spot 🙂

    I work out as soon as I roll out of bed at 6am, without a snack (oops!). Afterwards, I always have breakfast–usually a bowl of loaded oats n’ fruit or Kashi cereal.

  • Beth @ bride in the little white dress September 28, 2010, 12:28 pm

    I normally workout first thing in the morning and can only stomach a half of a banana. Anything else gives me stomach cramps.

    Hmm… I’m thinking I need to make this pancake asap! Looks yummy!

  • julia September 28, 2010, 12:34 pm

    For both of my marathon training cycles, my boyfriend and I at pancakes/waffles before each training run! I would put protein poweder in the batter and top it off with bananas and yogurt. It was sooooo yummy, and I would eat the left over pancakes as mid run fuel (cheaper than buying tons and tons of Gus!) I would usually eat 2-3 pancakes/waffles…. good gosh my grocery bills during marathon training were outrageous! haha 😉

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey September 28, 2010, 12:35 pm

    I just make sure I have some carbs, fats, and protein before a workout! I usually stick to oatmeal, but I’ll occasionally have some pancakes. This guy looks awesome!! I usually wait about an hour or so before I set out which gives me just enough time to blog!

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine September 28, 2010, 12:58 pm

    I’m a fan of the nana + pb pre-workout breakfast, so I’m interested to see how the pancake works!! Hope you have a great run!

  • Emily September 28, 2010, 1:00 pm

    This looks like an amazzzing way to have breakfast! I actually have a hard time working out on a full stomach; I am still adjusting to running and am not at the point yet where i need major fuel before I go out. I usually snack on some dry cereal before heading out; how long did it take you to be able to really eat before running?

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:11 pm

      Not long… I got into the habit very quickly because I use to wake up really early to run.

  • Laura Smith September 28, 2010, 1:04 pm

    I’ve found that a clif bar or a larabar + a banana works really well for me. I have a super sensitive stomach that takes an hour or two to fully digest. Makes it a pain for early races sometimes!

  • Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! September 28, 2010, 1:15 pm

    That protein pancake sounds awesome! I typically go with oatmeal with a banana pre-workout. If I eat that, I can run about 30-45 minutes later. For my triathlon, I chose a brown rice tortilla with banana and Justin’s honey almond butter, and it lasted me for over 6 hours! If I run in the afternoons (on the weekdays), I eat an apple and a mini-Lara bar about an hour before exercise.

  • Jess September 28, 2010, 1:16 pm

    I wake up so early in order to be at work on time that there is no time to sit and wait to digest! I’m always jealous of people who do, it seems like such a luxury. In order to go to the gym, shower, eat and commute on time I have to have my morning down to a science! I wish I could have the luxury of lingering!! jealous!!! Someday…. 😉

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing September 28, 2010, 1:27 pm

    I’ve been making those pancakes for a while now. So good and so easy! If you add in a bit of cottage cheese (or whipped cottage cheese in my case) it adds SO much creaminess!

  • Gabrielle @ Weightless September 28, 2010, 2:32 pm

    I’m a new reader, Caitlin – love your blog! My pre-run meals are usually really light, even for the long runs. My go-to breakfast is peanut butter on wheat toast and a Powerade Zero about an hour before I go out to run. It works, so I stick with it. That protein pancake looks amazing, though.

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 10:12 pm

      Hi! Welcome to HTP 🙂

  • Lisa September 28, 2010, 2:53 pm

    I eat something pretty small before a workout. Before running it was usually an Atkin’s Shake (160 calories or so) and then I’d eat breakfast afterward. Or I’ll have a banana and peanut butter.

  • Jess September 28, 2010, 3:20 pm

    If it’s a morning run, I like to eat nut butter on toast with sliced banana and cinnamon. If it’s in the afternoon, I find regular coffee to be key – after teaching a long day at school, I need any boost I can get!

  • Laura September 28, 2010, 4:23 pm

    Wow this confirms my thoughts that I have a really slow digestive system! It takes me a few hours otherwise I feel sick the whole workout.

  • Ashley M. [at] (never home)maker September 28, 2010, 4:54 pm

    Wow. This is a MONSTER of a pancake. I usually can’t eat a ton before a workout. Usually just toast with peanut butter. I had pancakes before my long run last weekend, and the whole time I was working out, it felt like there was a brick in my stomach. Yuck!

    But these look good.

  • Kjirsten @ healthybalancedlife September 28, 2010, 6:41 pm

    If I get up and workout during the week, I don’t have enough time to eat anything. On the weekends, I always like to have peanut butter on Ezekiel bread and a piece of fruit. I usually have to wait about an hour until I am ready to go!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin September 28, 2010, 7:22 pm

    I’m exactly like you – I like to have BIG breakfasts before my workouts. And I only have to wait around half an hour before I’m good to go!

    One time I tried running before eating my breakfast and it sucked! I got so hungry halfway though. 😛

  • Heidi - apples under my bed September 28, 2010, 7:33 pm

    If I dont have a lot of time, I will just have a banana or a fresh date (btw I never work out for longer than 1 hour, so this is enough energy). If I have more time, then I will eat either oatmeal or PB & banana toast – BUT I need to wait at least 1.5 hours for digestions, otherwise I feel to heavy. I wish I could eat & run! 🙂
    Heidi xo

  • Moni'sMeals September 28, 2010, 7:43 pm

    I love that pancake! I try to eat an hour before. My main focus is the post meal. I actually switch up all the time but I am motivated to try a protein pancake now!

  • Joanne September 28, 2010, 8:03 pm

    I can’t eat before a workout. If I’m going for a long run, and before my marathon on Sunday, I’ll have a banana with 1 TBS PB about 3 hours prior then pick at (end up eating about 3/4’s) an Energy Bar. I like the Marathon Energy Bars by Snickers. If I have anything more, it sits like a lead balloon in my stomach.
    The pancake looks SPECTACULAR for an after workout breakfast dish.

  • swetha September 28, 2010, 8:28 pm

    Hi caitlin !! I heart ur blog !! I just got introduced to ur blog through a friend,and has been hooked since then. Well,thanks to ur blog for inspiring me to eat healthy and for all the wonderfully healthy n yummy eats u whip up.I have observed that you use chia seeds in most of ur breakfast foods.It would be of great help to know,which brand of chia seeds u use and where u get it from.Keep up the great work caitlin !! btw ur pancakes looks YUM!!!

    • Caitlin September 28, 2010, 9:54 pm

      Hi friend!

      I got them from chiaseeddirect.com! And whole foods, too 🙂

  • Emily September 28, 2010, 8:34 pm

    I actually ate an oatmeal pancake for breakfast the day I ran my half marathon. It fueled me perfectly and didn’t feel heavy at all in my stomach. I think I did 1/2 cup oats, pinch baking soda, 1/3 cup egg whites, 1/2 mashed banana and topped with some peanut butter. Normally for smaller workouts I have a piece of toast with PB or banana with PB

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) September 28, 2010, 8:54 pm

    Now THAT is a pancake!

  • Heather September 28, 2010, 9:37 pm

    For my long runs, I eat a Clif bar (that I put on my nightstand the night before) and 10 oz of water. Then I go back to sleep for an hour! Best of both worlds…fuel for the run, but I get to sleep in a little too 🙂

  • Sana September 28, 2010, 9:52 pm

    I always like to have a little something in my belly b4 workouts!

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