When should individuals avoid eating in relation to exercise?

Eating at least 2 hours prior to exercise is recommended as it allows the body ample time to digest the meal, which can help prevent discomfort during physical activity. When food is ingested, the body diverts blood flow to the digestive system to aid digestion. If a person exercises too soon after eating, this can lead to issues such as cramping, nausea, or gastrointestinal distress because the body is trying to do two significant processes simultaneously: digest food and support physical exertion.

This timeframe also ensures that the body has enough energy available through glycogen stores without the heaviness or fullness that can come from a recent meal. For individuals engaging in moderate to high-intensity workouts, this recommended gap gives sufficient time for digestion and allows for optimal performance during exercise.

In contrast, eating immediately before exercise or too close to workout sessions can disrupt performance and cause discomfort, which is why options suggesting eating right before or at any time before exercise are not ideal. Similarly, while waiting just 1 hour might seem sufficient for some individuals, it may not accommodate everyone's digestive process effectively, hence the recommendation for a longer waiting period.