There is a great deal of confusion in the American diet concerning the importance of carbs and their effect on our health. While the debate continues, we do know one thing for sure–that carbs are necessary to get the body energy it needs to perform many vital functions, such as metabolizing fat and building muscle, for example. We also know that most people in the United States, including athletes, consume way too much refined, processed sugar and flour. Those refined, processed sugars and flours are lacking in nutritional value and are instead rich in calories, largely because of the high degree of packaging and processing that food goes through.
The problem comes when we substitute processed foods for healthy, real foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, nuts, seeds, beans, and lean meats, and dairy products. The replacements are often so far removed from their natural state that we don’t even recognize them as food, let alone treat them as beneficial and necessary sources of energy fuel. If this trend continues, there is a strong possibility that we may eventually suffer from what nutritionists call “nutritional deficiency,” because we won’t be getting enough nutrients from the foods that we eat.
The solution? Get back to the healthy carbs. High-quality whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereals provide an excellent source of both carbs and energy. They provide complex carbohydrates, which are simply different from simple sugars that are found in the bulk of processed foods, and provide the body with a steady, consistent source of energy that will keep you going. You can learn more about the importance of carbohydrates in your diet, as well as how consuming healthy carbs can help you lose weight and get healthier.
Benefits Of Carbs In A Bodybuilding Diet
For any person that is interested in engaging in intense and serious bodybuilding training, one critical component will always be critical to the success and continued growth of that bodybuilder. That critical component is what is known as “carbohydrates.” Carbs are the main source of proteins and healthy fats for the human body.1 Without carbs in your diet, you can have the most muscular body but you can’t be successful at bodybuilding. One thing that needs to be understood about carbs is that they are not only important for successful bodybuilding but are also extremely necessary for good health.2
There are two kinds of carbs that your body will require. These are simple sugars or “simple carbs” and complex carbs.3 The difference between these two carb types is that simple carbs are digested more quickly and therefore cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can cause discomfort and hunger during your workout. Complex carbs take longer to break down and therefore stay in the blood longer, causing balanced and consistent blood sugar levels.
Some common benefits of carbs in a bodybuilding diet include muscle building, healthy weight gain, increased energy, better digestion and detoxification of toxins, etc. While each of these benefits of carbs in a bodybuilding diet can be important in its own right, it is important to realize that just eating carbs will not automatically result in great results. Proper training and nutrition are critical to achieving and maintaining optimal performance and results.
When planning your bodybuilding diet with carbs, it is important to make sure that you are incorporating foods that are high in carbs but low in fat.4 This can be accomplished by eating several small meals throughout the day rather than having a large dinner or multiple big meals. Also, be sure to keep protein intake at a good level, because your body will need carbohydrates to fuel its functions and muscle building. However, do not consume too much protein or you may have difficulty building muscle.
By including carbs in your bodybuilding diet in addition to the previously discussed foods, you are ensuring that you are getting all the benefits of carbs in a bodybuilding diet. Remember to keep your protein consumption at a good level, eat your protein at regular intervals and eat your carbs at irregular intervals as well. Do not get too comfortable with your carb intake, because you will soon find that you have too many and are using up too much of your valuable training time. Eat carbs in moderation, spread them out and you are sure to start seeing the benefits of carbs in a bodybuilding diet.
Carbohydrates For A Performance Boost While Weightlifting
Carbs are very important for bodybuilders and athletes of all kinds. If you are looking to increase your muscle mass, your strength, your speed, and your overall physique, then you definitely want to pay close attention to what carbs can do for you. There are many different kinds of carbs and some of them will help your body more than others and some are kind of useless when it comes to bodybuilding workout strategies. It is important to understand the differences between these two categories so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not this type of carb is the one that you need for a particular goal in your bodybuilding workout regimen.
One category of carbs that has a lot of potential in a bodybuilding diet or as supplements is those that are considered complex.5 These kinds of carbs are made up of chains of glucose molecules that are closely held together by an enzyme. The body cannot break down complex carbs like most simple carbs because of the way the enzymes that are responsible for this process work. Bodybuilders and athletes that are looking to increase muscle mass use this type of carb in their efforts because these are extremely high-energy, high protein foods that give the body a great deal of energy for a long period of time. This allows them to exercise longer and lift more weights without getting tired, and this is something that is key to a successful bodybuilding routine.
Another category of carbs that is important for bodybuilding workouts is those that are referred to as unprocessed carbs. These carbs come from various raw sources like nuts, seeds, and vegetables and many of the vitamins and minerals found in these raw foods are also found in refined foods, which means that there is a lot more potential for these kinds of carbs to be effective when it comes to boosting performance. Keep in mind that unprocessed carbs tend to be higher in calories and lower in nutritional value than most other kinds of carbs, so it is important to choose a carb that has more carbohydrates but fewer calories if you are looking to have a positive impact on your performance. If you choose carbs wisely, they can really help your body to get the proteins and the vitamins that it needs for boosting performance.
Carb Benefits to Help Reduce Meal Fatigue
If you are a person who is experiencing some issues in regards to fat gain or weight gain and carbohydrate intake, then it is important for you to know about some good carbs-reducing meal plans. There are certain reasons why we experience fatigue and low energy during the day and what you need to do is to find out the causes of these problems and how to correct them. One of the best carb sources that you can use for bodybuilders and athletes is complex carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, and bread. These are known as complex carbs because they have multiple nutrients that your body needs in order to function properly.
When you eat carbs, the first thing that passes through your body is glucose which is converted to glycogen, which is starch. Glycogen is stored in your muscles, liver, and muscles when you eat carbs, and it is during this time that it helps the body produce energy.6 However, if you do not consume enough carbs in your diet, then there will be a lack of glycogen stores in your body which will cause you to feel fatigued easily. If you are an athlete or bodybuilder, you need to take note of this problem as this will affect your performance as well as your physique.
If you want to reduce fatigue in your body, then the first thing you can do is to eat more carbs. You can do this by eating a lot of eggs, meat, or cheese. Eating meat and eggs often will supply your body with proteins that will help you perform better, and this will also provide you with the vitamins and minerals that you need. Cheese provides you with carbs that will give your bodybuilding experience a boost and taking multivitamin tablets can help you get the right vitamins and minerals that your body needs. These are just some of the best foods and carb sources that you can use for your bodybuilding or dieting needs.
Image Credits
Very Well Fit / April 5, 2021
Lybrate / 2021
Mass News / 2021
Healthline / March 29, 2021
1 “Carbohydrates 101: The benefits of carbohydrates | Reid Health.” https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/carbohydrates-101-the-benefits-of-carbohydrates Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.
2 “Carbohydrates: Uses, health benefits, nutrition, and risks.” 17 Dec. 2020, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161547 Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.
3 “Good vs. Bad Carbohydrates: How Do You Tell the Difference ….” 3 Mar. 2021, https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/good-carbs-bad-carbs/ Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.
4 “This Diet Says High Carbs, Low Fat is Key to Healthy Weight Loss.” 21 Sep. 2020, https://thebeet.com/to-lose-weight-and-keep-it-off-this-diet-says-pick-a-lane-high-carbs-low-fat/ Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.
5 “Simple Carbohydrates vs. Complex Carbohydrates – Healthline.” https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/simple-carbohydrates-complex-carbohydrates Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.
6 “The Role of Glycogen in Diet and Exercise – Very Well Fit.” https://www.verywellfit.com/what-is-glycogen-2242008 Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.