How long do I have to wait to eat after running?

FitToBeFab
FitToBeFab Posts: 537 Member
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm trying to run every morning, and I know you're supposed to eat after a work out, but I'm not much of a morning eater. I've been told A LOT that I need to eat right when I wake up (OK guys....I get it :smile: ), but what about after a run?

I usually down two large glasses of water (I get really thirsty) but have no desire to eat anything. Today was the first day I've tried this (running in the morning and eating right after), and found that I couldn't even think about eating something till 45 minutes after I got back from my run.

Is that too long? Should I force myself to eat something?

Replies

  • angtodaycounts
    angtodaycounts Posts: 24 Member
    Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I do have a question to add to this topic...

    Do you eat anything before running if you are doing it in the morning? I want to start running in the morning but don't know if I should eat something before running...like a protein bar or shake.
  • nakabi
    nakabi Posts: 589 Member
    you should eat something before you start to run. something small, even a piece of fruit.
  • Larius
    Larius Posts: 507 Member
    Drink something instead, if that's easier. Healthy drinks of course. Milk is the original recovery drink.
  • Larius
    Larius Posts: 507 Member
    you should eat something before you start to run. something small, even a piece of fruit.

    Eating before running encourages stomach cramps. It doesn't stop me from doing it, but be warned.
  • ambercholtz
    ambercholtz Posts: 84 Member
    I don't know what the protocol is for running but I usually eat first ( protein and carbohydrates) and make sure I have a water bottle readily available. I eat after my exercise routine which is a combo of walking and running for an hour and a half, my energy level stays up pretty well. I don't know if this has helped you but its what I do and have had no problems from doing it. I usually eat something every 2-3 hours as is.
  • NPS1985
    NPS1985 Posts: 79 Member
    I dont know how long after you should eat, but try a protein bar or protein water afterwards...........Im training for a half marathon and when I get done running I'm really thirsty but i do try and eat a banana or something small.
  • sophjakesmom
    sophjakesmom Posts: 904 Member
    I get up at 5 am and work out (body pump, spinning, running, depending on the day.) I do not eat before I workout (I know, I know, "studies say...", but I don't have time and am not hungry at 5 am in the morning.) I then come home, take a shower and have cereal. By then, I AM hurngry.

    so my suggestion to you would be, eat when you are hungry. :flowerforyou:
  • B3Streeter
    B3Streeter Posts: 292 Member
    They usually say you have an hour window after a workout to eat for the best benefits. If I am starving I will have an apple or banana or some string cheese before a run, and then about 30min. after a run I will make a giant protein shake with spinach & peanut butter & it tastes amazing & fills me up for hours after!
  • bgredenbaugh
    bgredenbaugh Posts: 65 Member
    Hi,

    I read something recently (sorry, not sure where it was - but definitely reputable source) that so long as it's within a hour or so, you're OK. It's also best to make sure it's got protein in it.

    I bike every morning and I don't eat before, either, but it's as much a time management thing (so I can ge to work!) as a diet choice. I've read that if you DO eat anything before exercise, it's best not to be too protein-heavy and should have lots of liquid. That sounds like fruit to me.
  • NPS1985
    NPS1985 Posts: 79 Member
    I dont like to eat anything before I run because I dont wanna get stomach cramps. Thats just me.
  • skinnyack
    skinnyack Posts: 683
    Yeah I think everyone struggles with this at some point. try something small (slice of turkey, half an orange). I think the goal is to prevent the ravenous hunger that happens when you wait an hour to eat. If you run a lot in the morning maybe try eating something small while running... I'll do a quarter of a mojo bar, beans etc if it's a long run...
  • gavini
    gavini Posts: 248 Member
    if you dont want to eat then try a protein drink after your run, my favorite is Myoplex but there are a million brands, find one you like. A lot of research has shown huge benefits to your muscles and thus to your recovery from your workout by getting some protein in your system as soon as possible after your run. since i started using myoplex after a run i have noticed a major improvement in my recovery.

    Chocolate milk is a great recovery drink, dont trust me, google Chocolate milk Run Recovery and read one of the million articles about it.

    also, your body metabolizes things better after a workout so the same calories will be used better while your heart rate is still up, this is huge and something that MFP and smiple formulas lose out on, for instance, we all know if you eat right before bed it is not good for your waist line, yet there is no easy way to apply that knowledge when counting calories. not that there is a solution to that problem but something to be mindful of
  • Leanne3552000
    Leanne3552000 Posts: 395 Member
    If you are exercising for less than an hour then it's fine not to eat anything but if you are going longer than an hour you should have a high carbohydrate snack that is low in fat and not too high in protein. before you go. you might have to play around with this to find something that doesn't give you a stomach ache.

    As for after, having a high carbohydrate and protein meal within an hour is ideal. It's true about the choc milk too. great recovery food.
  • 321blueeyes
    321blueeyes Posts: 279 Member
    What is the intensity/duration of your typical morning run?

    For my body - if I do a HARD run, I am not hungry at all, in fact the idea of food is a little gross. But after a lower-intensity run, I am neutral about food (neither hungry nor repulsed by food).

    Banana is one of my favorites - pretty easy for most people to digest. However, I always do eat in the morning (before if the run is > 45 min, afterwards if it's a short run).
  • FitToBeFab
    FitToBeFab Posts: 537 Member
    I'm just getting back in the swing of running, so my runs are short - less than three miles - and a fairly easy pace.

    I don't eat before I run because the two times I have, I vomited on the road - not pleasant!

    This is all GREAT advice! Thank you so much! Any excuse to drink chocolate milk is ok by me!! And I'll check out some protien shakes too. Unfortunately for me, I'm allergic to bananas, so that limits my choices.

    Thanks again everybody!
  • trelm249
    trelm249 Posts: 777 Member
    If you are running first thing in the morning, personally skip eating before the run. Your glycogen stores are already somehwat depleted so you will hit the fat stores for energy quicker. This means a bigger benefit to that morning run in regard to weight loss.

    As for as afterwards. Grab a protein shake that has some carbs following the shower. Something like whey with a 1/2 a frozen banana and 1 cup of almond milk, or similar combos. Your body will make effecient use of the nutrients at that point and it shouldn't be too heavy.

    Just my 2 cents.
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