Early morning jog and food or the other way around?

What are your thoughts on early morning exercise and food?

Should exercise be done before or after breakfast, or should we just have a snack, like a piece of fruit, go for the jog and then have a proper breakfast?

[Landesman Graduate]

I think it varies from person to person. I go out first thing and don't eat or drink anything beforehand because that suits me - but then I don't normally eat breakfast anyway.

The NHS site has this - nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pa...

[sheffkezz Graduate]

I am only in week 4 so by no means an expert. I have been running early doors 5am on week days and 7am weekends and I shuffle/run without eating. I have a glass of water and sometimes a few gulps of OJ if I feel a bit light headed. Seems to work for me.

[vixiej Graduate]

I generally have a cup of tea (addict), some water and a banana if I can leave a 30 minute gap before running (small banana or half). If I were to fall out of bed and straight into a run I would probably just have some water, unless I was planning a longer run, in which case I'd definitely have a banana. I go for slightly under ripe bananas for preference, as they are slow burners. The ripe ones have more sugars (part of the process of ripening), so are good for short term high.

I often (most days) practise yoga first thing, at the very least doing several energetic rounds of sun salutation (that's a great warm up for a run, even if you don't do any other poses), which I do on totally empty, or just a little water. On those days, I generally eat a small banana after yoga and before running and drink some water (1/2 litre at least), but then I wait for 15-20 minutes before running (sometimes do banana burps during the run! Not nice, but true).

If I have done a full hour or so of yoga and then a long run, I often carry a tracker bar in case I really feel I need it, or to eat during the cool down from my run, as I'm generally starving by that point. Then I go home and, post shower, have a nice brunch, some scrambled eggs or something. Apparently we should have protein within about 15 minutes of the run, or hard exercise, to help build more muscle, but I'm not sure how practical that is for most people (maybe ok at the weekends).

Sorry for the long winded response to a very simple question. Perhaps I should have said 'yes, I suggest you eat a banana and have a drink of water before running'

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to vixiej]

I rather enjoyed that long answer! Well, maybe not so much the banana burps, but they did make me laugh!

[AnnieW55]

Basically, whatever works for you. I'm an up and out person - eat when I get back. That's for runs/being out for up to an hour at the weekend though, my mid week runs are done after work.

[sheffkezz Graduate]

I am only in week 4 so by no means an expert. I have been running early doors 5am on week days and 7am weekends and I shuffle/run without eating. I have a glass of water and sometimes a few gulps of OJ if I feel a bit light headed. Seems to work for me.

[vixiej Graduate in reply to sheffkezz]

gosh, I didn't realise there WAS a 5am, well done you, that is dedication

[PastyMan Graduate]

If I'm running in the morning I've found that just a glass of water and a handful of chocolate covered coffee beans (from Lidl) are like rocket fuel!

[alcopop Graduate]

I find that a banana helps me in the mornings, I also take a bottle of water with me on the run. Bananas are used by lost of sports people to give them some extra energy without feeling too full. If you normally eat breakfast then this may be good for you. But as the others have said, it is down to what suits you.

Happy running

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I get up have a cup of green T, + small banana and glass of water. By the time I've washed my face and dressed its about 30 minutes later that I head off out. I don't take water with me unless I'm going for a longer run i.e. 7K+ in the summer months.

[Hidden]

Thanks for all the responses. I usually have half a banana before the run and then have breakfast on my return, but on my yoga days I didn't use to have any food until I finished.

Was really just wondering if there was a typical pattern for sports or if basically was just do as you feel confortable.