Eating before running

ratherbeskiing
ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
I like to run in the morning- even on my days off... my problem is I am hungry and do not want to run on an empty stomach. What can I eat that will not upset my stomach while running but still have a little something in my stomach? or should I run before eating?

I tried granola bars and they worked ok... suggestions?!

Replies

  • texasmagz
    texasmagz Posts: 35 Member
    A banana 30 minutes before running keeps me going without sitting heavy in my stomach.
  • demery12371
    demery12371 Posts: 253 Member
    I like to run in the morning- even on my days off... my problem is I am hungry and do not want to run on an empty stomach. What can I eat that will not upset my stomach while running but still have a little something in my stomach? or should I run before eating?

    I tried granola bars and they worked ok... suggestions?!

    I usually have a piece of whole grain toast (Sara Lee 45 cal. whole grain) with peanut butter. (peter pan 1/3 less sugar whipped pb)

    Doesn't upset my tummy and helps keep me going. :)

    Good Luck!
  • hm_day
    hm_day Posts: 857 Member
    I don't usually recommend eating before running, only because it can cause cramps or indigestion. However, something very light may work. Like you said, granola bars, or even a yogurt may work. But don't overdo it, because it can also make you feel nauseous.
  • jbucci1186
    jbucci1186 Posts: 440 Member
    fruit
  • lind3400
    lind3400 Posts: 557 Member
    I eat a banana too not too heavy and I actually feel like it energizes me.
  • GorillaNJ
    GorillaNJ Posts: 4,024 Member
    i have been getting up an hour before i plan to run and have a protein shake with a bit of apple juice in it. Seems to work for me.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I don't get sick if I eat before a workout, so I don't know how much help I am, but I'll often have a slice of toast with peanut butter or I make some oat bran cereal (1/4 cup oat bran, 1 cup light soy milk, cinnamon, 1 t brown sugar, 1 T peanut butter) and a glass of orange juice.

    Sometimes, I do a veggie and cheese omelet.

    Sometimes, though, I go on an empty stomach and eat after. The hungry feeling goes away when I work out, so it's not a problem.

    I've read two different studies in the last two months, reported by the exact same fitness magazines: One said for weight loss, it's best to NOT eat before a workout. The other said that for weight loss, it's best TO EAT before a workout.

    So I decided to ignore the studies. lol
  • SassyStef
    SassyStef Posts: 413
    protein shake or bar...I eat half before I run and the other half right after. Fuel your body good, fruit and other things arent gonna give you the energy you need. You burn them off so fast and the sugars in them dont make for sustainable engery. You could also try some good fats, like avocado or nuts...good luck!
    I would also look at adding some branch chain amino acids as well, helps you muscle recover and is great over all with digestion.
  • SassyStef
    SassyStef Posts: 413
    I don't get sick if I eat before a workout, so I don't know how much help I am, but I'll often have a slice of toast with peanut butter or I make some oat bran cereal (1/4 cup oat bran, 1 cup light soy milk, cinnamon, 1 t brown sugar, 1 T peanut butter) and a glass of orange juice.

    Sometimes, I do a veggie and cheese omelet.

    Sometimes, though, I go on an empty stomach and eat after. The hungry feeling goes away when I work out, so it's not a problem.

    I've read two different studies in the last two months, reported by the exact same fitness magazines: One said for weight loss, it's best to NOT eat before a workout. The other said that for weight loss, it's best TO EAT before a workout.

    So I decided to ignore the studies. lol

    Gotta love those studies lol I think either way is good, and changing it up helps keep your body from plateau! I probably dont eat about 2 work outs a week and eat before the others :smile:
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    protein shake or bar...I eat half before I run and the other half right after. Fuel your body good, fruit and other things arent gonna give you the energy you need. You burn them off so fast and the sugars in them dont make for sustainable engery. You could also try some good fats, like avocado or nuts...good luck!
    I would also look at adding some branch chain amino acids as well, helps you muscle recover and is great over all with digestion.

    Actually, fruit would be better than protein or fat because you want carbs to fuel exercise.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I don't get sick if I eat before a workout, so I don't know how much help I am, but I'll often have a slice of toast with peanut butter or I make some oat bran cereal (1/4 cup oat bran, 1 cup light soy milk, cinnamon, 1 t brown sugar, 1 T peanut butter) and a glass of orange juice.

    Sometimes, I do a veggie and cheese omelet.

    Sometimes, though, I go on an empty stomach and eat after. The hungry feeling goes away when I work out, so it's not a problem.

    I've read two different studies in the last two months, reported by the exact same fitness magazines: One said for weight loss, it's best to NOT eat before a workout. The other said that for weight loss, it's best TO EAT before a workout.

    So I decided to ignore the studies. lol

    Gotta love those studies lol I think either way is good, and changing it up helps keep your body from plateau! I probably dont eat about 2 work outs a week and eat before the others :smile:

    I was SO ANNOYED when I saw the second study the very next month. I'd been very carefully trying NOT to eat before my workouts, even if I was hungry, because of the first study. Now, I eat if I'm hungry and I don't if I'm not (or don't have time) and I'm just going to do what I'm going to do. :-)
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I used to run before eating and felt fine. More recently I've been going to a strength class first thing in the morning - and I get dizzy if I try that on an empty stomach. So I have a slice of wholemeal toast with peanut butter before it.
  • adri_alb
    adri_alb Posts: 2 Member
    Recently I have been eating 1/2 a grapefruit before my morning workout and that seems to work ok. I usually work out around 6am and am literally rolling out of bed, grabbing a bite and hitting the road. I find when I do not have anything I cannot push as hard during my workout.
  • ShaeDetermined
    ShaeDetermined Posts: 1,525 Member
    i dont like anything sloshing in my stomach when i run, so when i generally run on an empty stomach.

    some days i feel like my body needs a little extra fuel and i'll either have half a banana or a bowl of oatmeal with berries about 30min before i set out.
  • just4peachy
    just4peachy Posts: 594 Member
    Apples do it for me if it's a shorter run (>7 miles), if it's longer I give myself time for something a little more sustantial like oatmeal and let it settle a little before I run.

    Good luck finding what will work best for you!!
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I'm an empty stomach runner (first thing in the morning). The only things that don't bother me are gummy bears, tootsie rolls and the likes.

    Bottom line, just try some different things and see what works for you.
  • bigdawg025
    bigdawg025 Posts: 774 Member
    For morning runs I usually eat a powerbar or a granola bar at least 30 minutes to an hour prior (as soon as I get out of bed). That seems to work well for me and gives me enough energy to get through the run.
  • ratherbeskiing
    ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
    Thanks! I tried the banana before and that worked- as it seems to work for most of u- I am going to stick to that and try new things! thanks all!
  • DonPendergraft
    DonPendergraft Posts: 520 Member
    I wouldn't recommend eating before running unless it's between 3-4 hours before. Just to top off glycogen reserves. It's quite alright to be hungry when you go running. And it's not necessary to take in nutrition to run a few miles. I generally take no nutrition until the two hour mark. Then some chocolate milk or Endurox R4 after the run. Good luck!
  • DancinSMartiPants
    DancinSMartiPants Posts: 363
    4 oz of apple juice cut with a little water for me!
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    I will have a gu gel before I head out on a morning run. If I don't, I have absolutely no energy.
  • RunningAddict
    RunningAddict Posts: 548 Member
    I like peanut butter. =)
  • cariandy
    cariandy Posts: 175 Member
    a banana is perfect..i don't even realy need to wait before i run..if it's a long run maybe a whole grain english with some peanut butter..

    Good Luck! :)
  • runningathena
    runningathena Posts: 218 Member
    How much I eat depends on how far I am running, but I always eat *something* so my body has some kind of fuel to burn while I'm running. If it's a short run (<5 miles), I'll just have a bowl of cereal. If it's a long run, or a race, I'll have a bowl of oatmeal, an English muffin or toast with PB. On race days, I'll take a banana with me to eat about 30 minutes before the race starts (sometimes you have to get to a race early, so you have to eat REALLY early - I'm often hungry if I have to wait too long). Bananas are a great low-GI (glycemic index) food that gives you energy without making you feel full. Plus, it generally won't make your tummy upset. :)
  • bprague
    bprague Posts: 564 Member
    If you want to get up eat, and run right away, I would suggest yogurt. For whatever reason, I cramp up if I get something solid in my stomach, but yogurt seems to be just the right combination of protein in a light package to keep me from cramping death.
  • Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet
    Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet Posts: 486
    I eat 300-400 cals 1.5 hrs before my workout. Half protein half whole wheat carb. My workout is ~1000 cal, so thats 1/3 of my work out cals eaten pre-workout with sufficient time to settle, but not so much time that I'll get hungry again.
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