Whatever your fitness goals are, you can only go so far if you're not fueling your body correctly. But is it better to time your meals before or after training? And what about eating before or after a run? Knowing when to eat can be just as important as knowing what to eat.

The focus here is often on finding what works best for you and your body. Personally, I prefer to go out for a run without eating anything beforehand. However, if I am training for a marathon and going out for a run that is more than an hour and a half, I may take a gel or eat half a banana before I go out. Everyone is different, so if you have any questions, it's worth talking to your doctor or personal trainer.

We sought advice from Alex Perlen, a nutritionist, running coach, and personal trainer. Here are her comments.

Alex Parren is an experienced personal trainer, running coach, and nutritionist for the sustainable British activewear brand Sundried. She has experience in both powerlifting and Olympic lifting and is currently an avid ultrarunner and trail runner.

Looking for workout inspiration? We've handpicked the best exercises for people who sit all day, cardio that burns more calories than running, and exercises for the inner thighs. Not for you? See what happens when you try Pamela Reif's six-pack ab workout or our dumbbell workout, which is perfect for beginners.

Experienced personal trainer, running coach, and nutritionist for sustainable British activewear brand Sundried. She has a background in powerlifting and Olympic lifting and is currently an ultrarunner and trail runner.

Looking for workout inspiration? We've handpicked the best exercises for people who sit all day, cardio that burns more calories than running, and exercises for the inner thighs. Not for you? See what happens when you try Pamela Reif's six-pack ab workout or her dumbbell workout, which is perfect for beginners.