Should We Eat and Run?
Many of us do cardio workouts in the morning before breakfast to get our metabolism pumping and burning more calories. But new research shows that exercising on an empty stomach may lead to excessive consumption of stored carbohydrates and protein. If those resources plunge too low, your metabolism may slow to a snail's pace to prevent further depletion.
"Exercising on an empty stomach can cause glucose stores to become low", says Michele Olson, exercise science professor at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. "You risk breaking down muscle protein to provide carbs that your body needs during exercise."
Given that you'll burn the same number of calories whether you workout before or after breakfast, it's preferable to eat a balanced, pre-workout meal about one hour before exercising, says Jessica Lynn, Fitness Director at the Hilton Head Health Institute on South Carolina's Hilton Head Island.
