Can I exercise right after having my meals?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Your mother was right - it's not a good idea to swim after eating. Or, for that matter, to do any kind of strenuous exercise on a full stomach. Your body is continually making decisions regarding where to send blood. Some organs, like your brain, always have priority and are assured of getting enough blood flow except in the most dire circumstances. Blood flow to other organs, such as your muscles or your digestive system, can vary considerably during the day. When you eat a big meal, your digestive system tells the brain, "Hey, send more blood down here - we've got a lot of work to do!" When you run, your legs tell your brain the same thing. There isn't enough extra blood to do both jobs adequately, so if you run on a full stomach, you may find that your legs will cramp or your stomach will begin to hurt. This is one reason why people who have heart disease sometimes experience chest pain following a big meal. Enough blood is shunted away from the heart to the stomach that it can lead to chest pain.
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Your mother was right - it's not a good idea to swim after eating. Or, for that matter, to do any kind of strenuous exercise on a full stomach. Your body is continually making decisions regarding where to send blood. Some organs, like your brain,... More -
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:So long as doing so doesn’t cause stomach issue or nausea, there is no reason why you can’t work out right after a meal. Most people typically tend not to because it often causes stomach problems with, they work out too soon after a meal. If working doesn’t upset your stomach in any way then it’s perfectly safe to work out right after a meal.
So long as doing so doesn’t cause stomach issue or nausea, there is no reason why you can’t work out right after a meal. Most people typically tend not to because it often causes stomach problems with, they work out too soon after a... More -
Jeremiah Forster answered:I agree with NASM, it completely all depends but for the most part having a meal directly before working out is just fine. However, it all depends on the individual.......
The only time that I would say eating a large meal is bad is if the food you consume will cause your stomach to be upset during exercise. Then it will make your exercise less productive, causing less diminishing return and further away from the goals you are trying to accomplish.
It depends because some people genuinely prefer to workout on a empty stomach and others prefer to workout with food in the stomach. Working out is very placebo and very mental and if you feel good you will work out harder. That is one factor, the other factor is how much glucose is stored in your system. If you are in a depleted state and not much glucose is stored in your muscles then your workout will be less productive. So if in a depleted state a meal that is rich in carbs and protein directly before training can give you enough fuel to have a productive workout.
As I have said, it all depends. For myself personally I will have a light pre-workout energy drink and or sports drink and protein bar before training for just enough energy to have a productive workout. I think it cannot be disputed the importance of a large post workout meal to replenish carbohydrates and amino acids, vitamins and minerals lost during exercise. However, your post workout meal is like your pre workout meal, it all depends. It depends on how hard your workout is and the size of your body (or should I say relation between lean muscle and body fat).
I agree with NASM, it completely all depends but for the most part having a meal directly before working out is just fine. However, it all depends on the individual....... The only time that I would say eating a large meal is bad is if the... More
