When should you eat? Before, after — or even while — exercising?

By Albert Stumm

If you listen to some self-proclaimed exercise experts on social media, they swear that working out on an empty stomach burns more fat.

But it’s a common misconception that exercising in a fasted state improves performance or burns more calories, said Abby Langer, a dietitian in Toronto.

“The research shows that in terms of gains, it doesn’t really make much of a difference,” she said.

Does that mean you should load up on protein and carbs right before a workout? No, that’s not true either.

Here’s a look at when — and how — you should eat, before, after or even during a workout. (And remember, experts say what you eat is more important than when you eat.)

What’s the case for eating before exercising?

The calories in food literally are energy, so you need them to fuel your body for a proper workout. Eating too much too soon beforehand, though, can