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Breakfast is the most important meals of the day. As the name implies, you "break" the "fast" which started right after taking your dinner or your last food intake before hitting the sack the night before. Early risers who prefer to do their exercise in the morning may wonder, when is the best time to break the fast: before or after their morning regimen?

I would say, "Both!"

Your metabolism slows down while you are asleep; however, because of the prolonged number of hours without ingestion of any food, the feeling of an empty stomach may be bothersome throughout a rather long exercise. If you have enough time to eat a full breakfast two to three hours before your exercise, then do so.

However, since most cannot manage waking up early enough for this, I'd suggest eating a quick and nutritious, light snack at least 15 minutes before your workout. This can be a granola bar, energy bar (packed with carbohydrates and protein, it’s a complete snack food), a banana or an apple maybe, two to three pieces of pandesal with whatever spread or filling you fancy, cut pieces of fresh fruit. This will ensure you have something in your tummy before you start hitting the treadmill, and since it’s just a small amount, you won’t feel any heaviness or the discomfort of having the walls of your stomach grinding against each other. You'll be more in the proper disposition to enjoy your morning routine this way.

 

'If you have enough time to eat a full breakfast two to three hours before your exercise, then do so. But if you can't wake up early enough for this, eat a quick and nutritious, light snack at least 15 minutes before your workout'

After your one and a half to two or maybe even three-hour workout, immediately hydrate and eat the second part of your breakfast. Only this time, make it a heavier meal with rice, potato or more bread together with your choice of viand: sausages, bacon, omelet, etc. This should be done immediately after your workout to immediately replenish your body’s supply of carbohydrates and salts.

If you're planning to just do some brisk walking or a few laps in the pool worth 30 minutes or less, you may opt to skip the snack, go right ahead with your exercise and down a good nutritious meal afterwards.

But there are different strokes for different folks, and so it would be advisable to study what eating habits are hiyang and work for you. However, always make sure not to skip the meal altogether!