Best time of day for carbs?

sweating_for_wedding
sweating_for_wedding Posts: 41 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi-

I was wondering if there was a specific time of day that's good to eat carbs? I've read that you should eat them in the morning so that they burn off all day, and I've read that you should eat them after a workout too. I'm trying to do below 160g per day, but I tend to want them more in the morning.

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Replies

  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Only when you're awake. That's best from what I understand. Other than that timing doesn't matter.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Typically between 6am and 11pm works for me
  • Add713
    Add713 Posts: 53 Member
    Whenever.......
  • SGM_Adonis
    SGM_Adonis Posts: 1,565 Member
    Everyone is different, I crave mine at night. It works for me. Meal timing is irrelevant IMO.
  • AcademicusMaximus
    AcademicusMaximus Posts: 22
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.

    This is not entirely true. The reason to eat carbs at specific time is to control your insulin levels and when they are spiked. The reason to control insulin levels is maximize your body's insulin sensitivity and GH (growh hormone) levels. For example eating carbs late or anything (especially sugar) will spike insulin production. Insulin and growth hormone are antagonistic and don't coexist well. If you spike insulin before you sleep you will inhibit your GH levels and GH is ESSENTIAL for building muscle and burning fat. The more GH the better you can burn fat and build muscle which is why pro BB take it like its going out of style.

    That being said, especially if your not concerned with building muscle, yes it is somewhat irrevelant as long as your in a calorie deficit you will lose fat. If however you are looking for every advatange eat carbs in the morning and post workout and avoid them late at night.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Understand that carbs are just the latest and greatest of dietary demons...the industry always has to have one. In reality, they're just a macro nutrient and it really doesn't matter if you have them in the morning or afternoon or night, whatever...they're just a macro-nutrient. I eat carbs all frackin' day long and I'm just fine.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    There is no magic time to eat carbs
  • LeonCX
    LeonCX Posts: 862 Member
    edited October 2014
    you will gain unless you eat carbs only between 6:47 and 7:12pm. :#

    seriously though, there are some articles out there that say morning only, others that say evening only. So who knows...
  • michaelachallis
    michaelachallis Posts: 137 Member
    i personally prefer to eat the bulk of mine in the morning but that is just my preference
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Just before bed
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    AcademicusMaximus wrote: »
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.

    This is not entirely true. The reason to eat carbs at specific time is to control your insulin levels and when they are spiked. The reason to control insulin levels is maximize your body's insulin sensitivity and GH (growh hormone) levels. For example eating carbs late or anything (especially sugar) will spike insulin production. Insulin and growth hormone are antagonistic and don't coexist well. If you spike insulin before you sleep you will inhibit your GH levels and GH is ESSENTIAL for building muscle and burning fat. The more GH the better you can burn fat and build muscle which is why pro BB take it like its going out of style.

    That being said, especially if your not concerned with building muscle, yes it is somewhat irrevelant as long as your in a calorie deficit you will lose fat. If however you are looking for every advatange eat carbs in the morning and post workout and avoid them late at night.

    The fact is, growth hormone is one of MANY factors when it comes to muscle growth. For natural individuals, nutrient timing comes in dead last when building muscle is concerned.

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  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    AcademicusMaximus wrote: »
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.

    This is not entirely true. The reason to eat carbs at specific time is to control your insulin levels and when they are spiked. The reason to control insulin levels is maximize your body's insulin sensitivity and GH (growh hormone) levels. For example eating carbs late or anything (especially sugar) will spike insulin production. Insulin and growth hormone are antagonistic and don't coexist well. If you spike insulin before you sleep you will inhibit your GH levels and GH is ESSENTIAL for building muscle and burning fat. The more GH the better you can burn fat and build muscle which is why pro BB take it like its going out of style.

    That being said, especially if your not concerned with building muscle, yes it is somewhat irrevelant as long as your in a calorie deficit you will lose fat. If however you are looking for every advatange eat carbs in the morning and post workout and avoid them late at night.

    Insulin makes you gain weight now? :|

    I highly doubt the OP is going the pro BB direction and asking if carb timing is a thing.
  • sweating_for_wedding
    sweating_for_wedding Posts: 41 Member
    Well...all I was asking is if I'm going to have heavy carbs (bread, rice, etc.) if there was a optimal time of day to do that. But clearly that didn't work out to well.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    AcademicusMaximus wrote: »
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.

    This is not entirely true. The reason to eat carbs at specific time is to control your insulin levels and when they are spiked. The reason to control insulin levels is maximize your body's insulin sensitivity and GH (growh hormone) levels. For example eating carbs late or anything (especially sugar) will spike insulin production. Insulin and growth hormone are antagonistic and don't coexist well. If you spike insulin before you sleep you will inhibit your GH levels and GH is ESSENTIAL for building muscle and burning fat. The more GH the better you can burn fat and build muscle which is why pro BB take it like its going out of style.

    That being said, especially if your not concerned with building muscle, yes it is somewhat irrevelant as long as your in a calorie deficit you will lose fat. If however you are looking for every advatange eat carbs in the morning and post workout and avoid them late at night.
    I used to believe that too..................then I researched and found out it's not entirely true. Broscience is strong for many gym rats and the convoluted info they get from each other is believed to trump actual science.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    littlechow5 wrote: »
    Well...all I was asking is if I'm going to have heavy carbs (bread, rice, etc.) if there was a optimal time of day to do that. But clearly that didn't work out to well.
    Yeah, questions like this usually stir up a lot of people who start arguing with each other. :)

    The answer is basically "no". It doesn't matter what time of day you eat, or don't eat, any food. Calories in, calories out is the general rule. Your mileage may vary, of course.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    littlechow5 wrote: »
    Well...all I was asking is if I'm going to have heavy carbs (bread, rice, etc.) if there was a optimal time of day to do that. But clearly that didn't work out to well.

    Nope, it's personal preference. I find that carb-heavy meals don't work for me in the mornings, so I get most of my carbs in the evenings. Hasn't impacted my weight loss in the least.
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  • CodeMonkey78
    CodeMonkey78 Posts: 320 Member
    SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »
    Typically between 6am and 11pm works for me

    +1

    But, I'm more of a 4:30am to 11pm kind of guy..
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    littlechow5 wrote: »
    Well...all I was asking is if I'm going to have heavy carbs (bread, rice, etc.) if there was a optimal time of day to do that. But clearly that didn't work out to well.

    You shouldn't feel bad for asking the question. No one is making fun of you. It's just crazy that magazines and websites perpetuate myths like this. It's not your fault.
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    Well not unless you plan on eating Steak for breakfast, you're not going to get rid of carbs during the day. Carbs are an anytime food. It doesn't matter what time of day you eat them. A calorie is a calorie regardless if it comes from carrots or cookies, protein, fat or carbs.
  • CodeMonkey78
    CodeMonkey78 Posts: 320 Member
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    littlechow5 wrote: »
    Well...all I was asking is if I'm going to have heavy carbs (bread, rice, etc.) if there was a optimal time of day to do that. But clearly that didn't work out to well.

    You shouldn't feel bad for asking the question. No one is making fun of you. It's just crazy that magazines and websites perpetuate myths like this. It's not your fault.

    My comment was not intended to ridicule you at all. Carbs are Calories and by definition; a Calorie is equal to 4.184 joules of energy regardless of whether it is a protein, carb, or fat.

    HTH.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    The easiest answer is no, it doesn't matter what time you eat carbs.

    Depending on your goals there is going to be a hierarchy of things that help them. At the top you have things like calorie intake, calorie expenditure, things that make all the difference. In the middle you have things that might help, and on the bottom you have things that either don't matter or matter so little they might as well not be worried about.

    If you see where I'm going, the timing of your carbs falls in the "doesn't matter" area of the heirarchy.
  • TMM211073
    TMM211073 Posts: 153 Member
    Calories can't tell the time, so it doesn't matter....

    xXx
  • AcademicusMaximus
    AcademicusMaximus Posts: 22
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    AcademicusMaximus wrote: »
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.

    This is not entirely true. The reason to eat carbs at specific time is to control your insulin levels and when they are spiked. The reason to control insulin levels is maximize your body's insulin sensitivity and GH (growh hormone) levels. For example eating carbs late or anything (especially sugar) will spike insulin production. Insulin and growth hormone are antagonistic and don't coexist well. If you spike insulin before you sleep you will inhibit your GH levels and GH is ESSENTIAL for building muscle and burning fat. The more GH the better you can burn fat and build muscle which is why pro BB take it like its going out of style.

    That being said, especially if your not concerned with building muscle, yes it is somewhat irrevelant as long as your in a calorie deficit you will lose fat. If however you are looking for every advatange eat carbs in the morning and post workout and avoid them late at night.

    Insulin makes you gain weight now? :|

    I highly doubt the OP is going the pro BB direction and asking if carb timing is a thing.
    Yes insulin is a fat storing hormone
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    you have to eat carbs before your intestines shut down at 9pm….otherwise you will erase your calorie deficit...
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    AcademicusMaximus wrote: »
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    AcademicusMaximus wrote: »
    hollydubs85 wrote: »
    Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Even if it does make a difference what time of day you ate them, the difference is so minuscule that it's a moot point. If it mattered, then intermittent fasting wouldn't be a thing.

    If you're trying to lose weight, you're burning everything off all day anyway if you're in a calorie deficit. That's what really matters for weight loss.

    This is not entirely true. The reason to eat carbs at specific time is to control your insulin levels and when they are spiked. The reason to control insulin levels is maximize your body's insulin sensitivity and GH (growh hormone) levels. For example eating carbs late or anything (especially sugar) will spike insulin production. Insulin and growth hormone are antagonistic and don't coexist well. If you spike insulin before you sleep you will inhibit your GH levels and GH is ESSENTIAL for building muscle and burning fat. The more GH the better you can burn fat and build muscle which is why pro BB take it like its going out of style.

    That being said, especially if your not concerned with building muscle, yes it is somewhat irrevelant as long as your in a calorie deficit you will lose fat. If however you are looking for every advatange eat carbs in the morning and post workout and avoid them late at night.

    Insulin makes you gain weight now? :|

    I highly doubt the OP is going the pro BB direction and asking if carb timing is a thing.
    Yes insulin is a fat storing hormone

    You clearly have no knowledge of nutrition or how the body works. So insulin stores fat, regardless of caloric intake? And you clearly have no idea that protein also spikes insulin. Strong 21st post though...
  • emmanuel4everjackson
    emmanuel4everjackson Posts: 53 Member
    littlechow5 wrote: »
    Hi-

    I was wondering if there was a specific time of day that's good to eat carbs? I've read that you should eat them in the morning so that they burn off all day, and I've read that you should eat them after a workout too. I'm trying to do below 160g per day, but I tend to want them more in the morning.

    23696455.png

    You are on the right track! I am fully convinced that nutrient timing is VERY IMPORTANT for weight loss & a healthy lifestyle. P.S. The best advice I ever got & can give concerning nutrition is EAT LOTS OF NUTRIENT RICH VEGGIES.
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