Research

Hormonal

Acute moderate-intensity exercise performed in a fed state increases postprandial levels of satiety hormones (PYY, GLP-1, PP) and suppresses hunger during the exercise period, resulting in a net negative energy balance despite higher absolute food intake.

If you exercise moderately after eating, you will likely feel less hungry during the workout. Even if you eat a bit more at your next meal, the energy you burned means you are in a net deficit. Don't fear the post-workout meal; the hormonal response helps regulate it.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Exercise significantly increased mean PYY, GLP-1 and PP levels... During the exercise period, hunger scores were significantly decreased... Exercise significantly increased subsequent absolute EI, but produced a significant decrease in relative EI after accounting for the energy expended during exercise.
Cátia Martins et al. · Journal of Endocrinology · 2007

Why this rating

Randomized crossover design with healthy subjects, but small sample size (n=12).

Source

Effects of exercise on gut peptides, energy intake and appetite

Cátia Martins et al. · Journal of Endocrinology · 2007

DOI 10.1677/joe-06-0030

crossover · n=12Cited 357×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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