What Time Should You Eat Before A Workout? The Answer May Surprise You

So when exactly should you be eating before working out? Experts offer some guidance.

Before answering the question of when you should be eating before a workout, it can first be helpful to determine if you even need to eat at all. "Whether or not people eat before their workout is highly individualized," naturopathic doctor and dietitian Jaime Schehr, N.D., R.D., previously told mbg. "Some people need to eat before working out, where others feel best if fasted."

Just remember, food is fuel, and one thing that's not negotiable is eating after a workout. "Dietary proteins are made up of amino acids, which are largely responsible for both muscle building and muscle repair. And exercise (strength training in particular), although beneficial to building muscle, works by creating microscopic tears or damage to the existing muscle," Schehr says. "The protein we eat, in turn, gets broken down into amino acids, which supplies the nutrients needed for repair of these damages."

For runners, eating right before a workout may cause intestinal distress resulting in something known as the "runners trots" (ahem, bathroom urgency), so keep this in mind before chowing down and hitting the pavement. However, in other forms of exercise like weight lifting, you may benefit from eating closer to your fitness session to get a natural energy boost. For this, carbs are a great pre-workout snack to give your body the fuel it needs to perform your best.

Failing to adequately hydrate may result in muscle cramping, dizziness, and exhaustion while you're at the gym, so it's actually essential to drink enough water to make sure you're staying safe, especially during the hot summer months.

Whether or not you eat before a workout is ultimately up to you, but if you do choose to fuel your body, you should make sure you have at least one to four hours to digest depending on the activity. This will avoid stomach cramps and discomfort, and overall make your workout a better experience. If you're inclined to enjoy a full meal or a snack, giving your body the time to digest will improve your energy levels so you can focus on your exercise. Just remember to stay hydrated!