Myth.

Eating before you exercise will help you improve your performance and help you attain your exercise goals. Exercising on an empty stomach will only leave you feeling tired and sluggish for the rest of the day. Remember the car analogy: your car will not run without gas in the same way that your body will not run properly without food.

The ideal pre-exercise meal should be carbohydrate rich and well tolerated.  For example,  a small banana, a slice of toast with a tablespoon of jam and a bottle of Gatorade is a great meal to have before an exercise. But the number of carbohydrates you need depends on your weight and the timing of the meal prior to exercise.  Generally, you should consume 0.5g – 2g per pound of body weight of carbohydrate 1 to 4 hours prior to exercise.  Click here to learn more.