I know u all are going to disagree with me, but I have gone to gym in an almost full stomach and never had any problems, I was just little slower thats all. As for afterworkout, I always eat a meal with a protein shake or a protein smoothie from this store at our cafeteria called Freshens. I am hungry like a mofo after workout, so I never miss that meal. Started recently I have started taking a scoop of whey before working out, and it has done nothing but good stuff to me.