Ashley’s answer: When it comes to working out in the morning, keep a few things. First, we wake up not having had any fluids for hours, so it’s very beneficial to hydrate the body, especially before a workout. Second, the duration and the intensity of your workout will factor significantly into what your body needs. A vinyasa yoga class versus a run versus a hike versus boxing versus CrossFit will ask different things of the body. Remember that the goal is not to just “make it through” your morning workout, but to get the most out of your effort (after all, you are getting up to work out, so kudos!) I advise almost all clients to eat something upon waking—the exception is if someone is taking a light walk or stretch class, or if the duration of their workout is under half an hour—and I like to emphasize some quick carbohydrates. For someone like you who mentions not liking to eat, I suggest considering liquid nutrition. You could do a glass of coconut water, which will hydrate and give you carbohydrates for quick energy. Or have half a glass of organic fruit juice mixed with water. You could also have a glass of organic soy milk, which will deliver some protein. What I recommend against are stimulants—black coffee, espresso, tea, sugar-free energy shots, etc.—with no calories, which is comparable to pushing on the gas pedal of your car when it has an empty tank (eeeks!) That screeching sound is exactly how your body will feel inside. Chewing over a food quandary? Send it to AskAshley@Prevention.com Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian, Qualitarian, nutrition expert, and
