There are a few things that you could try to prevent hunger from interfering with your workout.

1. Add some healthy fat to your preworkout snack with chopped nuts added to Greek yogurt and fruit, nut butter on whole-grain bread or crackers, or hummus on pita.

2. Have a larger snack about 45 to 60 minutes before you exercise. If this isn’t enough, try snacking on pieces of an energy bar or a granola bar during your workout.

3. Eat 2/3 of your daily food intake before dinner. If you aren’t doing this and you schedule an afternoon workout, your body will feel depleted. If you don’t feel like you can manage any more food earlier in the day, the problem may be with fluids. Sometimes we feel hungry when in fact, we’re thirsty. If you drink throughout your workout and keep some fluid in your stomach, it may help prevent you from feeling so empty. Try a drink with some added protein, which may digest more slowly in your body and keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time.

ANSWERED BY:
Andrea Chernus, MS, RD, CDE.