Do you REALLY need to eat something before running?

artvandalay
artvandalay Posts: 71
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
I've read you're supposed to eat something small 30 to 60 minutes before you run. I wake up in the morning and need to get my run in quick on the treadmill before the baby wakes up. I usually drink a cup of coffee, glass of water, then run.

Is there anything wrong with this? I don't have time to eat and I don't want to wake up even earlier just so I can eat a banana and give it time to digest. Usually by the time I"m done exercising she is ready to wake up. I eat a decent breakfast when I"m done running.

thanks~
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Replies

  • ashley0616
    ashley0616 Posts: 579 Member
    When I work out first thing in the morning, it is on an empty stomach. As long as your body is handling it well, then you are fine. If you are getting dizzy or lightheaded, it could be a blood sugar issue and you might want to consider a few crackers or a small piece of fruit before you go out.
  • ilsie99
    ilsie99 Posts: 259
    Nope, thats just fine. Whatever works, keep doing it!
  • melleyd
    melleyd Posts: 432 Member
    I just asked someone this same question. I don't eat before I work out either in the mornings and it just suits me better. I think it's ok but I'm sure you will get differing opinions on here! I think the key is to eat something when you're done. It might also depend how long you run.
  • shawn_chas102304
    shawn_chas102304 Posts: 27
    I think the point of eating before is to give your body my energy while running. I like you, like to get up before my girls and get on the treadmill. But because I'm so out of shape and need all the help I can get, I am trying to eat some fruit and then 30 mins later get on the treadmill. GOODLUCK!
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    I agree, whatever works best for you. If I eat before running, I usually eat an hour before, even if it is just a banana, or a protein bar. I dont rull well on a full tummy. I also know tohers who eat RIGHT before running. Its all about what works best for you.
  • Gilbrod
    Gilbrod Posts: 1,216 Member
    I never do. Makes me wanna throw up. I ran this morning without anything at all in my stomach. I don't even eat before going to the gym. I have yet to have a problem.
  • artvandalay
    artvandalay Posts: 71
    ok, thanks, I feel much better.

    My husband thinks it's really weird that I drink coffee right before running. I dunno. I can brew it super quick in my Keurig and just feel like I have to have one cup before I do anything in the morning. Although I'm sure it's mental, because the caffeine doens't have time to kick in byt he time I"m on the treadmill.
  • SarahofTwins
    SarahofTwins Posts: 1,169 Member
    I've done both and I have twin girls and son to wake up so time can be a crunch! I dont think it really makes a difference, as long as its working for you :) Lately I've been eating though before I work out only to have some energy when I'm jogging. Good luck to you!
  • jeff261159
    jeff261159 Posts: 385
    I just read an article in this months running magazine and it says that unless you are doing a half marathon or + then there is no need to 'fuel up' before the run. A normal meal the evening before a morning run will be fine.
  • MayMaydoesntrun
    MayMaydoesntrun Posts: 805 Member
    It really just depends on how I feel when I wake up. Sometimes, my belly is just empty feeling and I know from experience, that I need to eat something small or I'll never make it through my run. Other time, actually most of the time, I run on empty. It's a personal preference.
  • cariandy
    cariandy Posts: 175 Member
    No..I run on an empty stomach or coffee when i go out early in the morning..coffee is awesome! it helps helps with your run! :o) Good job!! keep it up!
  • jilld76
    jilld76 Posts: 324
    If you feel fine and can get through your workouts, then I don't see a problem with not eating before running. If I work out in the morning, it's usually on either an empty stomach or I'll just eat a banana or a luna bar, something small. I can't eat a lot before working out because it makes me want to puke!
  • njoithomp
    njoithomp Posts: 61
    I have read that doing aerobics first thing in the morning is good on an empty stomach because it increases the after burn. However; I also read that if you are doing any strength training first thing in the morning, the body needs some type of nutrition to help to build muscle properly. Oxygen magazine suggests chocolate milk or regular milk before strength training first thing in the morning as a good alternative to actually eating. Non-fat mild of course. Happy running!
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    There are some words on this site that make me scream, and top of the list is "you're supposed to..."

    You're not "supposed" to do anything. There are no hard and fast "this way and no other" rules.

    Fasted cardio (working out on an empty stomach) is a fairly well-known technique, and it suits some people, especially if exercisisng first thing in the morning. On the other hand, some people find they get dizzy if they exercise on an empty stomach, or can work-out better if they've given their body some fuel first.

    If it suits you, and your body is letting you know it's OK with that, then carry on! Good luck.
  • yes_i_can
    yes_i_can Posts: 419
    As long as you're not running huge distances, you should be fine.

    I do my running just before dinner, and I do tend to have something small at least a half-hour before, to get the energy going after sitting in the office all day. Usually just an apple or something. If I ran in the mornings though, I wouldn't eat beforehand. If I eat to close to the run, I get side stitches.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    No. You don't at all. I don't often eat before my runs, I can happily do about 12km (8 miles) before I feel I need to eat to fuel it, or like I am running out of energy.

    I do find I get more tired if I run on an empty stomach having not had a proper evening meal the night before, though.
  • cariandy
    cariandy Posts: 175 Member
    It really just depends on how I feel when I wake up. Sometimes, my belly is just empty feeling and I know from experience, that I need to eat something small or I'll never make it through my run. Other time, actually most of the time, I run on empty. It's a personal preference.
    and if your feeling hungry...eat!!! I find a banana is perfect for quick energy if you need somthing! :o)
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    I'm on the "do what works for you" team. For ME, I have no energy if I run on empty. So, I eat 1/4 - 1/2 protein bar and drink a cup of water - then head out.
  • spacecase76
    spacecase76 Posts: 673 Member
    I run at 4:30 in the afternoon on my way home from work, before gathering my kids from daycare. It is the only time I can run without the kids...

    Now with that being said, if I eat within 2-3 hours before running, I *will* get sick. It is 100* right now, or dang close to it (I live in Louisiana). But, by that point of the day, I have generally eaten breakfast, lunch, and 2 snacks, so I am not going on empty. If I were an early morning runner, it would be the same, eating too early makes me sick too...
  • shaunshaikh
    shaunshaikh Posts: 616 Member
    If you're going to be running for an hour or more, then it's a pretty good idea. Otherwise, it's not that important.
  • jilld76
    jilld76 Posts: 324
    ok, thanks, I feel much better.

    My husband thinks it's really weird that I drink coffee right before running. I dunno. I can brew it super quick in my Keurig and just feel like I have to have one cup before I do anything in the morning. Although I'm sure it's mental, because the caffeine doens't have time to kick in byt he time I"m on the treadmill.

    oh, and I drink coffee too before morning and afternoon workouts and my husband thinks it's crazy and yells at me. I don't consider it any different than if I were to drink a redbull or something, but I will continue with my coffee addiction.
  • tinareet
    tinareet Posts: 126
    I think it not eating works for you, then why change it??? We are all different. If I have to eat 30mins before any exercise I get sick, dizzy and occasionally faint. and I have to eat substantial carbs, fruit or milk just wont cut it with my body.lol. It does suck coz like today i had to get up extra early to get my bowl of porridge in 30mins before my bootcamp at 6.15!!! xxx
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    ok, thanks, I feel much better.

    My husband thinks it's really weird that I drink coffee right before running. I dunno. I can brew it super quick in my Keurig and just feel like I have to have one cup before I do anything in the morning. Although I'm sure it's mental, because the caffeine doens't have time to kick in byt he time I"m on the treadmill.

    oh, and I drink coffee too before morning and afternoon workouts and my husband thinks it's crazy and yells at me. I don't consider it any different than if I were to drink a redbull or something, but I will continue with my coffee addiction.

    There is plenty of evidence that coffee right before a workout is beneficial, it raises your heart rate, and makes you burn more calories while not putting in any more effort. That's why caffeine is a banned substance at the Olympics (in high doses). I usually have a cup of tea 30 mins before running.
  • funfitfoodie
    funfitfoodie Posts: 630 Member
    If you don't need to eat that's fine. I personally would pass out :laugh:
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    if it aint broke, dont fix it.

    I personally cant get very far on an empty stomach, so even if i am running very early i will have a coffee and a banana first or i find myself feeling sick and faint, but im really not good with low blood sugar. Others wont necessarily get affected as much. Lots of people prefer to exercise on an empty stomach.

    Its all about what works for you. we are not all the same.
  • theMightyAnt
    theMightyAnt Posts: 75
    When I know I am going to run in the morning I often eat a banana (or half) AS SOON as I get up. Then leave the house around 10-15 minutes later. By the time I have run for 15 minutes and I need the energy more I find that it starts to kick in
  • chrisyoung0422
    chrisyoung0422 Posts: 426 Member
    I do this plenty of the time also.

    If I am running more than a few miles I will try and eat just a little something so I dont clunk out @ mile three....
  • ilsie99
    ilsie99 Posts: 259
    There is plenty of evidence that coffee right before a workout is beneficial, it raises your heart rate, and makes you burn more calories while not putting in any more effort. That's why caffeine is a banned substance at the Olympics (in high doses). I usually have a cup of tea 30 mins before running.

    Caffeine was unbanned at the 2004 Olympics, mainly because that restriction was "impractical" aka dumb.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    You don't need to eat if you don't want to. I never eat before running in the morning and run 60+ minutes. A glass of water and cup of coffee is enough.
  • Xaspar
    Xaspar Posts: 726 Member
    I do not eat before I work out in the mornings because I end up with tummy trouble. But I DO make sure I eat and drink as soon as I can after I am done with the workout. I think doing what works for you is best though.
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