Eating before a workout, yay or nay?

One of the greatest arguments in fitness and nutrition is whether or not to do cardio on an empty stomach. 

I used to wake up and jump straight into exercising without eating thinking that this will burn more stored fat with nothing in my system.
After some research, I learned this is not the case and I now have a banana and some nut butter. 



Some studies suggest that working out on an empty stomach means fat is burned to provide energy, the downside to that, it may reduce your workout time and intensity, causing muscle loss, and lowering your metabolism.

 There are reports that your body burns roughly the same amount of fat regardless of whether you eat before a workout, but you’re likely to lose strength-building muscles by exercising on an empty stomach. Not only that, without food to fuel your workout, exercise intensity and overall calorie burn are reduced. 

Below are some questions I am often asked by my clients.

Why eat a pre-workout meal?

During a workout, the body burns energy. If it doesn’t have enough energy, it starts to burn body fat or breaks down muscle tissue to fuel the workout. Eating the right meal before a workout can increase energy levels and preserve muscle tissue.

When to eat a pre-workout meal?

To benefit from a pre-workout meal, the body needs to digest it prior to exercising. There is no point in having a steak with vegetables 10-15 even 30 minutes prior to the workout. The food needs to be broken down first and to get the nutrients on their way into the blood stream.

Different types of food require different times for digesting. 

What to eat as a pre-workout meal?

A good pre-workout meal should prepare and enable the body to complete the session. It should contain enough energy and protein to meet the demands of the workout.

Slow-releasing carbohydrate foods will make sure the body gets a steady supply of calories during a workout. They are a more sustained energy source and keep the blood sugar levels stable.