As long as it isn't a heavy meal, or you give yourself enough time, it's nice to eat before because you'll get a spike in glycogen levels in your blood stream which translates to more energy for more reps / higher intensity.
Really it's good to eat just before and just after. Fuel up, deplete yourself, replenish. I typically load up on caffeine as it's a performance enhancer (Mtn Dew is my preferred choice, but if you like coffee it's more concentrated so you don't have to drink as much), work out (water while I workout or gatorade for longer sessions) and then eat a small sugary snack to replenish blood levels post work out, then eat my protein while I'm in the mood for it.
This is the ideal course of action for feeling your best during your workouts and after. I believe it helps a lot mentally (you know you're coming into your workout with energy because you just consumed it) and physically, but ultimately isn't as important as working out itself. Working out vigorously and consistently over a long period of time is what is going to get you healthy and in shape more so than anything else.
With that said, I work out best after eating big hot meals (like a nice pot roast mmm). They get my body temp up.. it's almost like a warm up in itself. And big meals you enjoy, but don't overstuff, can get you excited and pumped before your workout. Definitely try it sometime. Do a workout without eating before, and then do the same workout 2 days later after eating. Note the differences. I believe you'll come to the same conclusions I have.
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After. It helps your body metabolize because new food is coming in after your workout (when you need more energy).
If you eat before you'll just be more lethargic and full during the workouts. You'll probably put in less effort as a result.
After, unless you want to puke.
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