Is it bettter to eat before or after you exercise? why?

Question

Haha, it sounds like it's 50/50 on this one :]

And, it isn't heavy weight training.
Just jogging, walking, biking.

Light exercises.

Answer 1

For purposes of losing weight, I've heard that it's better to eat after exercising. Exercising would increase your metabolism and burn away fats first (since the body hasn't taken in any food yet, and thus, carbohydrates). Food taken in after exercise would also be burnt away at a quicker rate due to the increased metabolism.

Of course, it's notesworthy to make sure that the meals you're taking after the exercise are light meals. Try not to take something too heavy and greasy - it's going to put a strain on your already worked-up digestive system.

Good question!

Answer 2

You should do both, the only difference is the timing. You should eat a few hours before a workout, and immediately after. Of course, it all depends on your goals (be it losing weight or gaining muscle). But after exercising, your body wants fuel. It is an ideal time to supply your body with the energy it needs to build and repair the muscle that you have strained during the workout.

Do NOT be afraid of eating! Be afraid of eating unhealthy!

Answer 3

Personally, I eat after I exercise. I have running friends who eat, like a slice of toast or a yogurt and banana (carbs) before their run. everyone's different. Me. I just can't eat when I first get up, so I run first, then eat.
Neither one is 'better' for you, except you should not exercise for at least one hour if you've just eaten. If you do, you may end up side aches or stomach aches, with all the food sloshing around in there.

Answer 4

I usually eat something light about an hour and a half before I leave to exercise; half an hour to an hour after I get back, I eat something more substantial. This way, I have energy to work out, but I don't feel like I'm going to barf the food back up!

Answer 5

I've always heard you exercise first. that way the body can't use the recently absorbed carbs but must seek out the stored fat. Then eat healthy afterward with lots of water all day. No rewarding exercise with a candy bar. Tsk, Tsk.

Answer 6

After. First of all, it is better to digest food when your body is in more of a resting state. Also, having food in you can slow you down a bit. I prefer eating something light, like a banana, beforehand, and then usually after the workout I'm starving. If you are a bodybuilder it may be different.

Answer 7

I think your body will let you know after you have done exercise often enough.

My body used to scream for energy when I ran after I ate breakfast......(usually a bowl of cereal or something.) My brother (a triathalete competing in many marathons now,) suggested that I eat afterwards. I focus more on how fast I do the miles instead of what I ate to fuel me.

It's totally up to you, though, I have heard many competitors saying how they eat before, many saying they eat after......

I like working out, getting it done with, then I wake my son up for school and we can both eat together before I take him to school. It's bonding for us, I love it, hopefully he does, too.

Answer 8

Based o F1 race pilots, that are required to eat before the race because the enormous amounts of water and calories lost during the race, I assume it is better to eat from 1h to 30 minutes before you exercise. That's what they do.

Answer 9

Yes after exercise but you will put up a lot of muscles.