Are you the type to squeeze in a morning run before breakfast? Or hit the gym before dinner? Working out on an empty stomach won’t hurt you—and it may actually help, depending on your goal.
On the other hand, exercising before eating comes with the risk of feeling lethargic or light-headed due to low blood sugar. “You might feel tired or edgy, and you won’t be able to work out as intensely as you would have if you had eaten something if your goal is to build muscle.
A light amount of food will help you get through the workout session more comfortably and with more energy.
Working out on an empty stomach could also lead your body to use protein as fuel. This leaves your body with less protein, which is needed to build and repair muscles after exercise. Plus, using fat as energy doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to lower your overall body fat percentage or burn more calories.
Is that what you really want?
Usually, I train in the morning. I always suggest no matter your goals or especially you want to lose weight you must eat breakfast!
To lose weight you must boost your metabolism, by doing that you can burn more calories!
But to burn more calories you need to eat, you need to have energy (carbs/fat) to push yourself!
Depending by your workout program a high protein breakfast might works for you!
There are hundreds of options there might help you out. For wellness and a complete healthy body (head-toe) you must eat!
So, what should you eat before a workout?
Here are some suggestions:
-Complex carbohydrates that give you energy without causing your blood sugar to spike. Try steel-cut oatmeal; apple slices; carrots with hummus; whole-grain cereal such as Cheerios; almond butter on whole-grain toast; or an omelet with whole-grain bread. Keep the portion size small, since working out on a full stomach can make you feel nauseous.
-There is one trick to burn fat while eating beforehand: Eat protein (like a shake) 30 minutes before you start sweating,
The protein will provide some fuel to your body, but protein doesn’t spike your insulin levels as much as carbs will—which means your body will have fuel, but without the blunted fat burn.
A protein shake will keep your body from breaking down muscle in order to use fuel for energy, but you may need the quick energy that comes from carbs, even if you also lose that fat oxidation.
-Mix carbs and protein, like a slice of toast with almond butter or half a serving of oatmeal made with milk.
Thank you for reading,
Personal Trainer | Nutritionist | Online Coach | Group Exercise Instructor