That's right, I said never!
Exercising on an empty stomach is like trying to drive your car with an empty gas tank. It gets you nowhere. Just like our cars, we need fuel to function. It's as simple as that.
Exercising on empty can make you feel dizzy and light headed, and you won't be able to workout as hard as you may want to because you lack energy. If you can't get through a workout because you're fatigued, you lose the effectiveness of exercise.
So, make the most of your workouts by fueling your body in the right ways before, during and after you exercise. Before you exercise eat something that's high in carbohydrates, my favorite before workout snacks are apples. Fruit is an excellent before workout food, also granola bars or power bars are good. If you eat a full meal before exercising, just make sure you give yourself enough time to digest it. Otherwise, you may feel sluggish, even nauseous during your workout.
During longer workouts, like hikes or long runs don't hesitate to snack during the workout. You'll avoid the dreaded 'crash' if you keep your energy reserves up. Staying hydrated with plenty of water helps with that as well.
After your workout, re-fuel with foods that are high in protein. Eating food high in protein at least 1 hour after exercise is best for your muscles' recovery and health. I always have a protein smoothie made with fruit, yogurt and whey protein powder right after my workouts.
At the end of the day, you'll feel your best when you treat your body as the machine that it is. Fuel it right and it'll keep going strong.
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