What to Eat and Drink Before Skydiving (and What to Avoid)
Table of Contents
When Should You Eat Before Skydiving?
What to Eat Before Skydiving
What to Avoid Before Skydiving
Can You Drink Before Skydiving?
Should You Skydive on an Empty Stomach?
Sample Jump-Day Meal Timeline
Will Eating Actually Stop You Getting Sick?
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Your Skydive?
Key Takeaways
Eat a normal, light meal one to two hours before your jump. Oatmeal, fruit, eggs, or a sandwich all work well. Skip anything greasy, heavy, or spicy, and go easy on caffeine. Do not skip the meal entirely – an empty stomach makes nausea more likely, not less. Drink water steadily through the day, and no alcohol before jumping. If nerves have killed your appetite, a smoothie and a few crackers will do the job.
Your skydive is booked. Your alarm is set. Now you’re staring at the clock wondering what, or if, you should eat before heading to the dropzone. Good thinking – what you eat and drink before your jump can make a difference in how you feel throughout the experience. There’s no special jump-day diet you need to know about; just a little common sense about when to eat, what to choose, and what to avoid.
When Should You Eat Before Skydiving?
Is it okay to eat before skydiving? Yes! Eat one to two hours before the jump.
That gives your body some time to digest your food without leaving you running on empty when it’s time to gear up and board the plane. A normal meal or snack also helps you avoid the lightheaded, shaky feeling that can come with going too long without eating.
You may see experienced skydivers sitting around the dropzone eating a burrito right before a jump and wonder how they do it. Don’t use someone else’s eating habits as your guide, especially if this is your first jump – they’ve likely done this a couple hundred or even thousand times! You already have plenty of new sensations to process without adding a very full stomach to the mix.
Instead, one to two hours before the jump, stick with a moderate portion of food you already know your body handles well.
What to Eat Before Skydiving
When deciding what to eat before skydiving, keep it simple. You don’t need a special “skydiving diet,” and jump day probably isn’t the time to experiment with a new food.
Good options include:
- Oatmeal
- Toast
- Cereal
- Fruit, such as berries or bananas
- Eggs
- A light sandwich or wrap
- A smoothie
The right choice depends on what normally works for you. If you typically eat oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, there’s no reason to change things up just because you’re going skydiving.
For nervous eaters, smoothies can be especially beneficial. If the thought of eating solid food makes your stomach turn, a smoothie can give you some calories without feeling like a full meal. Plus, drinking through a straw is easy! Pair it with something neutral, such as a few crackers or a piece of toast.
Remember: The goal is to give your body some fuel without making yourself uncomfortably full. Don’t eat as much as possible, and also don’t starve yourself.
What to Avoid Before Skydiving
“What should I avoid before skydiving?” This is a smart question to ask yourself. When it comes to what not to eat before flying through the sky, think about foods that are likely to leave you feeling overly full, sluggish, or generally uncomfortable.
Skip options like:
- Greasy, fatty, or fried foods
- Heavy meals
- Spicy foods
- Excessive caffeine
A giant breakfast may sound like a good idea if you know you’ll be at the dropzone for several hours, but there’s no prize for seeing how much you can eat before jumping out of an airplane!
What about caffeine? If you normally drink coffee or have an energy drink, you don’t necessarily need to eliminate it. However, excessive caffeine or energy drinks can leave you feeling jittery, particularly when combined with the natural nerves that come with trying skydiving for the first time. If you aren’t a caffeine drinker, please don’t experiment with it on the day of your jump!
And what about alcohol? That deserves its own conversation …
Can You Drink Before Skydiving?
If by “drink” you mean water, absolutely. If you mean alcohol, no.
What the regulations actually say
The Federal Aviation Administration regulation that applies to parachute operations is 14 CFR 105.7. It states that no person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot may allow a person to do so, if that person is or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or a drug that affects their faculties in a way contrary to safety.
In other words, alcohol and skydiving don’t mix. If you’re under the influence, you should not be participating in a skydive.
What if you’re hungover?
A hangover is not a great way to start a day of skydiving. Alcohol can contribute to dehydration, and a combination of dehydration, an upset stomach, and the excitement of freefall is a recipe for feeling lousy (to say the least).
If you arrive at the dropzone hungover or otherwise impaired, talk to the staff and reschedule your jump. We’d rather you do that than try to send it when you aren’t feeling your best!
What to drink instead
Water is your best friend. Drink steadily throughout the day before your jump and the morning of your skydive rather than trying to chug a huge amount right before boarding.
On particularly hot days, an electrolyte drink can also be useful. Just don’t overdo it. The goal is to stay comfortably hydrated without drinking so much that you feel bloated, nauseated, or uncomfortable before your jump.
Should You Skydive on an Empty Stomach?
If you’re wondering, “Should I skydive on an empty stomach?” NO! There’s a common idea that skipping food will prevent you from getting sick during a skydive. In reality, arriving with nothing in your stomach is the worse option. Going too long without eating can leave you feeling lightheaded, weak, or even nauseated and anxious – all things we’re aiming to avoid on the day of your jump!
If nerves have completely killed your appetite, don’t force yourself to eat a giant breakfast. Have something small and easy to tolerate instead. A smoothie and a few crackers, for example, can be much easier to manage than a full plate of food.
The important thing is not to arrive at the dropzone with absolutely nothing in your system.
Sample Jump-Day Meal Timeline
Let’s say your scheduled jump is at 11 a.m.
7:30 am: Have a normal breakfast, such as oatmeal with berries and a banana, eggs and toast, or cereal with fruit.
9 am: Drink some water and have a small snack if you’re hungry.
10 am: If you need something else, keep it light – perhaps a few crackers, half a sandwich, or a small smoothie.
10:15 am onward: Give your stomach a break as you get closer to the jump. Continue drinking water as needed, but don’t overdo it.
Of course, actual jump times can change because of weather, aircraft availability, and the normal rhythm of a busy dropzone. If your jump gets delayed, you can adjust accordingly and have another light snack if you become hungry.
Will Eating Actually Stop You Getting Sick?
Eating properly can help, but there’s no magic food that guarantees you won’t get sick.
Getting sick on a tandem skydive is uncommon, and there are a few simple things you can do to stack the odds in your favor: eat a reasonable meal, stay hydrated, and let your instructor know if you’re prone to motion sickness. And, remember to BREATHE!
Communication is key. Your instructor can take any information into account and adjust the flight accordingly, especially when it comes to flying the parachute. There’s no reason to keep motion sickness a secret – your instructor is a trained professional who is here to help you have the best experience possible. Don’t sweat it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What disqualifies you from skydiving?
Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs that affect your faculties means you should not participate in a skydive. If you show up for your jump impaired, talk to the dropzone staff rather than trying to push through it.
When it comes to general qualifications, like age, weight, and medical conditions, check out our blog and tandem skydiving FAQs.
Can I eat while skydiving?
No. Your pre-jump meal should happen before you get on the plane. Once you’re geared up and preparing for your jump, your focus should be on listening to your instructor and enjoying the experience.
What if I’m too nervous to eat before my jump?
You’re not alone! If nerves make solid food difficult, try something easier to tolerate, such as a smoothie, and add a few crackers or some toast if you can. You don’t need a huge meal, just avoid arriving on an entirely empty stomach.
Ready for Your Skydive?
Now you know what to eat before skydiving, what to skip, and how to approach food and drinks on jump day. So, ready to make the jump? Book your skydive at Skydive Cross Keys and come see why we’re known as the happiest dropzone on the East Coast! Blue skies!