Dr. Pfaffenbach explained that hunger often associated with exercise occurs post workout as the body begins the recovery process. Increased hunger typically comes with more caloric needs to support training and recovery.

“Hunger signals during exercise are not all that common, but there are some exceptions in ultrarunning or long-distance hiking situations. Just remember, nutrition is highly individualized, and each person should be in touch with their own hunger cues.”

Take this nutrition advice and run with it

Dr. Pfaffenbach shared some general tips to help you avoid being under-fueled and feeling hungry after a run.

Experiment with your nutrition and schedule

Find out what works for you during different types of runs. Do you feel better if you eat carbohydrates a few hours before your run? Do you tolerate running on an empty stomach? For a high intensity session, the quality and performance for the workout will likely suffer if a runner is under fueled. On the other hand, some runners prefer to run first thing in the morning and do not want to run on a full stomach. This can work for steady state aerobic runs.

Learn your hunger cues

The best way to avoid being hungry is to understand why your stomach is feeling empty. Are you getting enough protein in your diet? Have you changed up your training routine and require more calories? Did you have a proper meal the night before you exercise?