Key Takeaways
If you’re wondering, “Should I eat before skydiving?” The answer is yes! We’ve got you covered with a full list of what to eat before skydiving, why eating before skydiving is so important, and what to avoid before the big jump. Eating before taking the leap of a lifetime should be the least of your stressors for your big day.
Can you eat before skydiving? Yes! Okay, but should you eat before skydiving? YES! Sticking with foods that are easy to digest and nutritious is key!
What Should You Eat Before Skydiving?
When it comes to what to eat before skydiving, two of the most important things are familiarity and moderation. What do we mean by this? A few hours before your skydive is the time to eat what you know you like – what you know settles well in your stomach and will keep you satiated without feeling heavy. It is not the time to experiment with new foods!
Eating a meal a few hours before your skydive is suggested, while 30 minutes to an hour before you jump, lighter snacks should be your go-to.
Great pre-skydive food options:
- Sandwiches
- Granola / protein bars
- Nuts
- Trail mix
- Pretzels
- Crackers
- Smoothies
- Nut butters
- Fruit
Pro tip! Sometimes pre-jump nerves can make eating feel intimidating. In those cases, it can be easier to drink your nutrition. Fruit smoothies with some extra protein are a great option.
When Should You Eat Before Skydiving?
How long before skydiving should you eat? Many avid skydivers can eat as they’re literally boarding the jump plane. Don’t be fooled by the seasoned pros, as this isn’t a smart move for nervous first-timers. We suggest eating about two hours before your jump.
More importantly, you should eat when it feels good for you. For example, if you know that it takes your body three hours to feel comfortable after eating, then you should listen to that. Contrarily, if you know that you could go for a run 30 minutes after a meal, then eating 30 minutes before your jump should be fine. You are the only one who can listen to your body, so do it!
When determining what and when to eat before a jump, we should think of skydiving like a light workout with a whole lot of adrenaline. What would you eat and when would you eat before an activity like this?
I’m Not Hungry, Do I Have To Eat? Yes!
Are you supposed to eat before skydiving? Um, yes! An empty stomach is more unruly than a full one when it comes to skydiving. Many people believe that they won’t feel icky and won’t get sick (getting sick is super rare, BTW) if they don’t have anything in their stomach, and these people would be sorely mistaken. The likelihood of feeling nauseous during or after your skydive is actually much higher if you go at it on an empty stomach.
Not only does fasting leave you feeling hungry, but it affects your blood sugar, which is a big part of the digestive system. When our blood sugar crashes, it can leave us feeling weak, dizzy, and anxious. These are all symptoms that we do not want to trigger during an already-exciting experience like a skydive!
How Do I Prepare My Body For Skydiving? The Importance Of Hydration
When it comes to satiation and skydiving, making sure you’re fed and hydrated is a key part of preparing your body for the jump. A first skydive experience is high-stress (understandable!) and remembering to stay hydrated can keep your body aligned. Hydrating helps to maintain your physical and mental state in high-adrenaline situations.
Similar to low blood sugar, dehydration can leave you feeling rundown and fatigued, which are two things we do not want your body to be battling during a skydive. Bring a snack and some water with you to the dropzone so you’re equipped with what your body needs while you’re at the dropzone – especially if we encounter a weather delay.
What Should You Avoid Before Skydiving?
What are the big no-nos when it comes to consumption before taking the leap? We can name a few!
- Drinking alcohol (or consuming other substances). We all know that drinking alcohol, even a little bit, can leave us feeling out of sorts. On a high-adrenaline day, you don’t want to be feeling this way. Not only is alcohol an inhibitor, but it’s illegal to consume within 8 hours before a jump, per the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Super heavy, greasy, or spicy foods. These foods are generally not easily digested and can leave you feeling tired or bloated.
Can you eat after skydiving? Yes! The Bend area has an incredible food scene and you can splurge on whatever spicy, greasy, heavy, sweet goodies and alcohol your adventurous heart desires, post-jump!
Ready to skydive? Book today – jumping with you will be a TREAT! Blue skies!
