22/10/2026
What if you finish a long ride or hard session and food is the LAST thing on your mind?
Yep, that was me yesterday after a full cycle. ❤️🚴♀️ Hungry so I fuelled before setting off, but afterwards? Nothing.
We assume exercise will leave us starving. But sometimes it does the opposite.
🧠 EXERCISE CAN SUPPRESS APPETITE. Changes in hormones and body temperature can temporarily reduce hunger after harder exercise.
🥵 FATIGUE & STRESS AFFECT YOUR GUT. Feeling hot, exhausted, stressed or nauseous can make eating unappealing and affect digestion.
❤️ UNDER-FUELLING CAN COMPLICATE THINGS. If you’ve experienced periods of not eating enough, hunger cues might not always reflect what your body needs.
NOT FEELING HUNGRY DOESN’T MEAN YOUR BODY DOESN’T NEED FUEL.
Your body still needs energy to replenish glycogen, repair muscle and recover, even when your appetite hasn’t caught up.
So, what can you do?
🍌 BEFORE: Have a meal or snack 20-30mins before training. A RED-Scue bar is a convenient, carbohydrate-rich option.
🚴♀️ DURING: For longer sessions, plan to eat and drink rather than relying on hunger. Take 2–3 RED-Scue bars or cut them into smaller pieces to fuel little and often.
🍫 AFTER: Not hungry? Start small. Try a RED-Scue bar, smoothie or yoghurt with granola, then build up to a meal when you feel able.
🥣 EARLY STARTS: RED-Scue breakfast jars offer a practical option when a big breakfast feels like too much.
🍝 REST DAYS TOO: This is SO important. Your body is still recovering, repairing and replenishing after training. You don’t need to earn food through exercise, and you don’t need to eat less just because you’re resting. Keep eating regular meals and snacks.
❤️ You don’t have to feel hungry to need fuel. Start small if you need to, but keep fuelling. Set a timer to remind yourself too.
At RED-Scue, we’re here to challenge under-fuelling and help athletes feel more confident around food.
Because fuelling isn’t just about your next session. It’s about your health, recovery and ability to keep doing the sport you love.
Has this ever happened to you?