Runner and low-carb meals

gdean428

Hi all. I'm a beginner runner. I also want to be on a low carb diet during this time too. Any recipes or foods that will give me the energy and low carb at the same time?

athensguy

Carbs are the main fuel for running, but if you're not worried about performance, then just eat as you've been eating. Be sure to eat back your exercise calories.

jacksonpt

Carbs are the easiest/fastest fuel for running, but if you're not worried about performance, then just eat as you've been eating. Be sure to eat back your exercise calories.

Fixed.

You body will generate energy as long as you feed it regardless of what you feed it.

Carbs (especially simple carbs) are the easiest/fasts fuel source for your body, so if you're looking for optimal performance and faster times, you'll want to incorporate some simple carbs, even if it's only before/during your runs. If you're just out to log some miles and get a good sweat going, then it's not as important.

FYI... some people have issues (complaining digestive systems) if they eat too much "heavy" food around a workout. You have to know what your body likes and what it can handle.

gdean428

Thanks guys!! I will be sticking with the simple carbs for sure.

athensguy

Carbs are the easiest/fastest fuel for running, but if you're not worried about performance, then just eat as you've been eating. Be sure to eat back your exercise calories.

Fixed.

You body will generate energy as long as you feed it regardless of what you feed it.

Carbs (especially simple carbs) are the easiest/fasts fuel source for your body, so if you're looking for optimal performance and faster times, you'll want to incorporate some simple carbs, even if it's only before/during your runs. If you're just out to log some miles and get a good sweat going, then it's not as important.

FYI... some people have issues (complaining digestive systems) if they eat too much "heavy" food around a workout. You have to know what your body likes and what it can handle.

I don't believe that your fix is an improvement. Running above recovery intensity utilizes CHO for >50% of the energy expended.

msarro

Carbs are the easiest/fastest fuel for running, but if you're not worried about performance, then just eat as you've been eating. Be sure to eat back your exercise calories.

Fixed.

You body will generate energy as long as you feed it regardless of what you feed it.

Carbs (especially simple carbs) are the easiest/fasts fuel source for your body, so if you're looking for optimal performance and faster times, you'll want to incorporate some simple carbs, even if it's only before/during your runs. If you're just out to log some miles and get a good sweat going, then it's not as important.

FYI... some people have issues (complaining digestive systems) if they eat too much "heavy" food around a workout. You have to know what your body likes and what it can handle.

I don't believe that your fix is an improvement. Running above recovery intensity utilizes CHO for >50% of the energy expended.

Also, fat metabolization when doing any cardiovascular sport is usually not an "immediate" thing. The body will always look at glycogen first, because its the most readily accessible source of energy. Once that is depleted (however little) it will shift over to burning fat. For a beginning runner, that shift could be disasterous because it is a PITA to run through. It could be very discouraging for a beginner. It absolutely can be done, but I would never recommend it, especially for a beginner.

jacksonpt

Carbs are the easiest/fastest fuel for running, but if you're not worried about performance, then just eat as you've been eating. Be sure to eat back your exercise calories.

Fixed.

You body will generate energy as long as you feed it regardless of what you feed it.

Carbs (especially simple carbs) are the easiest/fasts fuel source for your body, so if you're looking for optimal performance and faster times, you'll want to incorporate some simple carbs, even if it's only before/during your runs. If you're just out to log some miles and get a good sweat going, then it's not as important.

FYI... some people have issues (complaining digestive systems) if they eat too much "heavy" food around a workout. You have to know what your body likes and what it can handle.

I don't believe that your fix is an improvement. Running above recovery intensity utilizes CHO for >50% of the energy expended.

I think we're saying the same thing, no? Carbs are the main source if they are available. But if they aren't available, your body will break down/convert protein and fats as an energy source.

Most people in any kind of reasonable shape can go out and "trot" (for lack of a better word) forever on a steady stream of cals (almost regardless of what those cals are). But the higher the intensity and the better performance you want, the more important it is to get the right cals.