(Hello, fasted cardio!)

Meanwhile, science is continually evolving, meaning that experts are always updating exercise nutrition recommendations.

So where does that leave you?

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Should you eat before working out?

fuel) for exercise.

And it can just feelhard.

But other things can suffer too, Wilson says.

So why are fasted workouts so popular?

However, in reality, fasted exercise doesnt work quite that neatly.

Burning a greater percentage of your calories from fat is not the same as burning moretotalfat.

If thats you, you dont have to force food down.

Wilson recommends keeping any fasted workouts low in intensity and stopping if you experience any dizziness or light-headedness.

But these tips can help you determine the best preworkout foods and eating schedule for your unique situation.

And the importance ofgeneralfueling also applies to people who are exercising a couple times per week too.

Think about preworkout meals or snacks as one part of a larger puzzle.

Its basically an overallnutritiousway of eating rather than anything super specific related to your activity.

When consumed close to workouts, it can often cause stomach issues like diarrhea, Wilson says.

Thats because during the digestion process, your body directs blood to your stomach and gastrointestinal system.

When exercising, yourbody routes blood to muscles.

If youre midway through your workout and still digesting, your G.I.

tract wont get as much blood as it prefers, Wilson explains.

Enter, cramps, bloating, gas, and nausea.

If thats the case, youre best to avoid them before a workout.

Protein provides amino acids for muscle repair as well as some energy for exercise, Wilson says.

But its not an exact blanket recommendationyou have to consider things like what kind of workout youre doing too.

Then use trial and error to zero in on what works best for you.

The one thing that will bump down exercise performance quicker than anything is dehydration, Dr. Creel says.

More extreme dehydration can stress your heart and increase the risk of heat exhaustion in higher temps.

When youre dehydrated, youre apt to have dark yellow or amber urine, so keep drinking.

Consider those colors your green light for long or hard workouts.

So dont be afraid to experiment, to see what habits make you feel best while you are exercising.