Eat before a morning run?

kerryradz

Hi, should you eat before a morning run? I don't have a lot of time in the morning so it's all abit of a rush and I don't eat till after a run but should I be eating before? If so has any one got any ideas of light snacks other than bananas?

ValerieMomof2

You are going to get mixed responses here. You will have to find what works for you. I CANNOT eat before activity, especially running so before my AM runs, I eat nothing. I tried once and it was a disaster because I felt so sick. I have run up to 12 miles with no food prior as long as I eat to prepare the day before.

lausmit4477

It's all personal preference and what makes you perform better.

workaholic_nurse

Very rarely will I eat before a morning run, it usually causes violent illness by the first mile...just me, but you'll have to experiment with what works for you.

omma_to_3

I only run in the morning if I have a race, or sometimes on weekends if I happen to wake up earlier. I will usually eat - cereal or an English muffin with peanut butter. But for shorter runs, it's really not necessary. I seem to tolerate it pretty well but many people don't.

michellekicks

It's up to you.

If I can get out within a couple of hours of waking, I'll go having had just my morning coffee (I do put cream and sugar in it, though). If I have to wait longer, I'll have something small an hour or so beforehand - a protein bar or an ounce of almonds or something.

If I am planning a long run for first thing in the morning, sometimes I'll go over on my calories the night before so that I'm all fueled up for my morning fasted run.

Totally up to you. Whatever your preference.

iWaffle

Hi, should you eat before a morning run? I don't have a lot of time in the morning so it's all abit of a rush and I don't eat till after a run but should I be eating before? If so has any one got any ideas of light snacks other than bananas?

If it's working for you then keep doing it. There's no reason you have to eat before unless you think it will give you more energy. I typically don't have anything unless I'm doing more than 6 miles.

eep223

In general, I do better and feel stronger if I eat before a run, but I never eat before a run in the morning. I'm just not hungry and it seems silly to force myself to eat. I eat a big, healthy, high protein breakfast when I get back.

These are very short runs, though (just a couple miles). I would eat if I was running any longer. You gotta do what makes your body feel good, and it sounds like you are doing that. I think you're fine!

ThickMcRunFast

Up to you. Under 6 miles I don't usually eat anything. Over that, I might have an apple or toast with peanut butter, but I hate eating too much before running.

mmddwechanged

I prefer to have toast with peanut butter before I run. My husband eats nothing before he runs. Out of the two of us, he always wins. Hmmm.

mlb929

I have never ate before any distance run. I think it's all about what your body can handle. Some people need something some don't. I've trained my body to not require food before a training run.

brazilnut05

It all depends on your body. I ran in high school and at the collegiate level and my experience is as follows: I have to eat before any activity, otherwise I feel like S#!T and I don't get nearly as good of a workout in. Normally I will eat something small and simple, like a piece of toast with peanut butter or a granola bar. You should wait at least 30 minutes before trying to run, otherwise you will probably feel sick and throw up. Hydration is key, though. Always drink plenty of water before and after!

kerryradz

Thanks for all your comments :-) think ill stick with what I'm doing as it's only short runs and as the majority have said if it's 6miles or more eat something, thanks!

scottb81

This is my opinion backed up with some science. I don't think you should eat anything within 3 hours (2 hours at the least) before any run. The reason is that eating causes an insulin spike which causes your body to burn more glycogen and less fat during the run. Eating far enough in advance eliminates the problem. Eating something after you start doesn't cause the problem either.

This has nothing to do with the fat burning zone but is about training your body to burn fat during training and sparing glycogen during racing. Sparing glycogen at the beginning of the run allows you to run faster for further.

dsjohndrow

2 cups of coffee and tall glass of water. Eat when you have time to eat.

waterwing

I never eat before a morning run... otherwise I'd be getting up at 3am to prevent cramping. I do try to have a glass of hot water with lemon though. Just do what works for you!

kmbweber2014

I mix a scoop of vanilla protein and a cup of cold coffee (I make it the night before and put it in the fridge) and drink that before my runs. I go at 5 am so am up at 4:40, eating that early would not go well for me.

chymerra

i make overnight oats in a jar (with a scoop of protein powder) and eat a few spoonfuls of that before my early AM workout. then when i'm showered/dressed and on my way to work, i eat the rest.

rumplesnat

I don't like to eat before running...even waiting an hour still makes me feel icky and sloshy.

michellekicks

2 cups of coffee and tall glass of water. Eat when you have time to eat.

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