Breakfast is important, but when to eat it?

So, I've recently gotten into the habit of eating breakfast each morning, which I know is vital to avoiding binges and jump-starting metabolism. However, after I began to change my diet I also added in exercise. Now, I'm wondering whether it is best for me to eat breakfast before or after my daily morning exercise, or maybe even to split it up and have two small meals, one before and one after?

Hopefully the CC community can give me some advice here! :)

I have instant oatmeal in the morning and it is only 160 calories.

In my opinion I would say before you excerise because you need the calories that you did not get when you were sleeping. could make your workout easier?

I don't know what's best, but I eat after I work out in the morning.  Usually a protein shake, but sometimes an egg sandwich.

I have a problem with heartburn while exercising, and my doctor recommended a glass of milk before exercising.  In particular, swimming was an issue for me.  The milk gives my stomach something to work on, and it's not too much to digest.  That's fixed that problem.

If you're going to do a small meal before, I'd make it something easy to digest, and fairly light.  I try not to work out immediately after eating in general, like eating supper and then jumping on the bike.  I like to wait an hour or so after eating, and that doesn't work with my morning schedule.

Clint

i have oatmeal or egg+cheese on toast 30mins - 60mins before gym, then coffee and something with protein afterwards if it was a strength day (yogurt or EAS shake or slice of cheese)

then I'll have a late morning snack, yogurt with go lean or cottage cheese or crackers & cheese.

Generally I work out within 30 minutes to an hour of waking up, and I usually still manage to get breakfast in within that "two hours after waking up" guideline, but because I work out first thing, I tend to eat breakfast afterward. If it's a matter of preference (what makes your body feel best when you exercise), then that's all fine and good and I will just keep doing what I'm doing.

If that's not the case, though, then perhaps I need to rephrase my question:

Is there a health/metabolism benefit to eating either before or after exercising, especially first thing in the morning? 

For me personally, I find that having a 200-300 calorie breakfast BEFORE working out helps me to have more energy when working out thus making my workout more productive. However, if you feel that you have enough energy to get in a strong workout before you eat anything then I would say what your doing is fine.

I get up at 5:10 a.m., go for a 30 minute walk, then eat breakfast, and then do some strength excercises. that is what works best for me. i like to get my walk in before the kids wake up.

I strongly suggest, although many people do otherwise, to eat breakfast before anything.  It "breaks" the "fast" (breakfast) and gets metabolism going.  Soon enough if you eat every morning, your body will automatically know its going to get fed at that time and burn it off.  Immediately when you get up, you should drink atleast half a glass of water, to hydrate your body from what it has lost.  Then immediately get to eating a good, healthy breakfast.  I eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal w/ soymilk, which is high in both fiber (to get your bowels going), protein and carbs. 

Original Post by ladydelish4eva:

I strongly suggest, although many people do otherwise, to eat breakfast before anything.  It "breaks" the "fast" (breakfast) and gets metabolism going.  Soon enough if you eat every morning, your body will automatically know its going to get fed at that time and burn it off.  Immediately when you get up, you should drink atleast half a glass of water, to hydrate your body from what it has lost.  Then immediately get to eating a good, healthy breakfast.  I eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal w/ soymilk, which is high in both fiber (to get your bowels going), protein and carbs. 

Thanks so much! I had a feeling it might be better for me to eat before exercising. Somehow, the idea of putting stress on my body without it having any fuel didn't sound right with me, and now that I have confirmation from a few people I'll adjust accordingly. :)

Welcomes! :)

My personal trainer that I hired told me that when I have an early morning workout, as soon as I roll out of bed in the morning I should eat a banana... and since the gym is about a 20 minute drive... it has a bit of time to digest.

The banana has enough energy and electrolytes in it that I can easily make it through one of my trainer's heavier workouts without difficulty... then I drink a protein shake after that I bring with me... and my day always feels like I started it off right... but I dont feel like I ate way too much either.

i eat my breakfast before my morning run - gives me energy for it. but i'd say try out both - eating before, waiting 'til after; or even try the splitting it up method. whichever makes you feel strongest - stick with that

If you feel you have the energy to workout before you eat, and trimming fat is your goal, I suggest you do just that.  After 15 minutes or so of working out, your body will have burnt up any excess sugar that has built up from the previous day and will start buring fat (your body has no choice but to use stored fat for energy at this point).  In my opinion, this is the best time to trim fat. 

i think it's a time-management question as much as anything.  i need a substantial breakfast, and i can't run on a full stomach, so for me breakfast has to come after (if i were a smoothie-drinker, i could probably handle that before a run, but i'd still have to eat a real meal afterwards).

its best to have SOMETHING before.. because if you workout on an empty stomache it will start to burn into your muscle fibers plus you have more energy when you eat before.. i just have 100-150 cal, when i dont eat before i feel like i have to give myself an extra push through workouts .. of course this is if you workout in the morning like i do..

Original Post by brittywitty044:

its best to have SOMETHING before.. because if you workout on an empty stomache it will start to burn into your muscle fibers plus you have more energy when you eat before.. i just have 100-150 cal, when i dont eat before i feel like i have to give myself an extra push through workouts .. of course this is if you workout in the morning like i do..

not true.  for this to be true would mean that when exercising you burn the energy that's still in your stomach.  um--no--you have to metabolize food before you can utilize the energy.  you can't use the eggs you just ate to fuel your workout.  sorry.

i was kind of confused by that but that is always what I have learned and read.. except for body for life .. he says work out on an empty stomach.. thats always what i went by.. but as far as energy i guess everyones diff

i used to run late in the morning, because i couldn't run on a full stomach, but i thought i needed to eat first.  and because i was a student, and could go almost whenever i wanted.  but the first time i went for a run before breakfast (after coffee), it felt great.  i'd been recovering from surgery, hadn't run in six weeks, but i had no shortage of energy.

it's just a question of what works on an individual level.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

it's just a question of what works on an individual level.

yep - exactly.  i tend to have a pretty substantial b'fast, and then head out for a 7 miler 'bout an hour later and i normally feel great.