Is it terrible to exercise on a full stomach?

Although exercising on a full stomach may be uncomfortable, it will not harm you or negate the many health benefits associated with working out, says Jim Barnard, Ph.D., professor of physiological science at the University of California, Los Angeles, and leading researcher on the benefits of exercise and diet.

Regular exercise offers protection against many diseases, including some cancers.

It can also help you manage your weight, improve your mood and strengthen your heart and lungs.

So if you have a hectic schedule and your only chance to squeeze in a workout is, say, after dinner, it’s still better to work out on a full stomach than not to work out at all.

“My advice is to eat a small [meal], and be sure to exercise,” says Dr. Barnard. Then make another meal the larger of the day.

This Live Right Live Well Expert Q&A was written by journalist Nicole Gregory.

Available at Amazon.com:

Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood with Food and Exercise

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