Have you ever wondered whether or not you should eat before working out? Many folks tend to avoid eating before exercising in the hopes of burning more fat. Even though many fitness gurus defended this idea, a study published on the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism refuted this myth. The study compared a group of volunteers in two different states: fasting and having a light breakfast before training sessions. The goal was to measure the caloric expenditure after the exercise session and the amount of fat that was being used as fuel. It was found that when the subjects ate before exercising, they burned slightly more calories 12 to 24 hours after the session than when fasting. In addition, it seemed that when they had breakfast before training, they used more fat as fuel after the exercise session.
Bottom line: If you want to get rid of unflattering body-fat, fuel up before hitting the gym. Experts recommend having a light breakfast 20 to 30 minutes before your morning workout composed mainly of carbohydrates that are easy to digest such as fruits, breads, energy bars, or energy drinks.
Available at “Eating or Fasting For Fat Loss: A Controversy Resolved.”