before meals; pre-meal
Used as a noun or adverb, often in instructions for taking medicine or supplements.
Please take this medicine before meals.
Measure blood sugar before meals.
食後 means 'after a meal' while 食前 means 'before a meal', the direct opposite timing.
aperitif; pre-dinner drink
Compound of 食 (shoku, 'eating, meal') and 前 (zen, 'before').