Should I eat breakfast before morning jogging?
Disease description:
I have some hypoglycemia, and recently I want to adjust my schedule to run in the morning. I would like to ask whether I should eat breakfast before running in the morning?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Whether or not to eat breakfast before a morning run mainly depends on individual habits, as well as the duration and intensity of the run.
Generally speaking, if you plan to engage in a short and light morning run (such as less than 30 minutes) and your body is already accustomed to exercising on an empty stomach, you may choose to run without eating breakfast. This can help avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by eating beforehand, thereby improving exercise performance, and effectively burning stored body fat.
However, if you plan to perform a long-duration or high-intensity morning run, or if you personally tend to feel dizzy or weak when fasting, it is recommended to consume a small amount of easily digestible, carbohydrate-rich foods before running, such as bananas or whole wheat bread. These foods can quickly supply energy to the body, reduce fatigue during exercise, and will not place excessive burden on the stomach.
It is advisable to perform appropriate warm-up exercises before physical activity. When trying any new dietary or exercise habits, you should gradually adapt and pay attention to your body's response. If you have specific health conditions, it is best to proceed under the guidance of a physician.
