On low-carb diet, advice on upping carbs for heavy workouts?

peasantgirly
peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
edited December 21 in Health and Weight Loss
ETA:
*****PLEASE: This thread is not to debate the low-carb lifestyle. I just want to know if I double my calories (as a result of a huge calorie burn), is it ok to double my carb intake? I don't want to go out of ketosis.******


I usually keep my carbs around 20 and sometimes way less, with calories around 1500. I'm going hiking today and I know I will burn approximately 1500-2000 more calories. Is it ok to up my carbs since I will be burning so many calories? Or should I stick to 20?

If y'all think it's ok to eat more, how MUCH more? 30?

I'm not looking for an excuse to eat cheesecake; I just would like to know what is safe to pack for the hike in terms of snacks.

TIA for any input! :)

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    BEANS

    20 is so low, do you get dizzy? (I have my macros set for 30% Carbs, which is lower than most folks. I am set for 113grams today. All from plants)
  • cessi0909
    cessi0909 Posts: 653 Member
    Do you just keep refined carbs that low or any? I am not sure since I don't watch that kind of stuff but I know my banana this morning has more than 20 carbs and it helps with my energy for the day.
  • tophat1
    tophat1 Posts: 19
    Oh absolutely! Granola/energy bars, nuts, dried fruit - eat them as you feel you need them. Don't count the carbs, just work on maintaining your energy level through the hike. You can go back to your normal macro plan the following day.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    you don't need carbs, the fatty acids will fuel the muscles nicely especially if you've been low carbing for a while.

    http://www.ergo-log.com/lowcarbendurance.html
  • Masterdo
    Masterdo Posts: 331 Member
    For instant energy, nothing is better than carbs, and you probably will need quite a lot of that on that hike :p Just take with you snacks that are high in protein and carbs, might make you feel better about the carbs, and enjoy :)

    I truly don't see how you manage to eat anything healthy and remain under 20g per day though... I think I get more than that from a banana and a cup of broccoli.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I think I get more than that from a banana and a cup of broccoli.
    Ditch the banana and it becomes obvious, Starchy sugary things they are.
  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    You can up them as it's the % that matters not the gms. I would go for things like sweet potatoes and bananas :)
  • MichPace8
    MichPace8 Posts: 12 Member
    Anytime I'm going to do a tough workout, I front load my carbs. My definition of carbs is veggies, fruit, and whole grains. It's okay to add in more carbs on tough training days but you need to add in the right carbs. Refined sugary carbs are not something you can add in on those hard training days. The sugar in it will spike your insulin levels waaaayy up and in turn, drive you to eat more or your body will slow its metabolism to start storing. Insulin level spikes start the fat scoring processes in your body.
    :smile:
    Eat extra fruit or a bigger salad before, during or after your hike. Skip the refined sugary stuff.
  • Masterdo
    Masterdo Posts: 331 Member
    I think I get more than that from a banana and a cup of broccoli.
    Ditch the banana and it becomes obvious, Starchy sugary things they are.

    I will do that, the day I find a sub 10 hours Kona Ironman finisher eating less than 20g of carbs per day. "Slim couch potatoes" might do well with that, but if burning 1.5k calories is your "easy" day, no way this will turn out fine :p

    To each his own I guess.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I think the OP should stick with what she knows and avoid advice from sugar burners operating in a different mode.

    Adding 30g of carbs gives you an underwhelming 120 calories, I really don't see the point.

    Avoid sweet fruit for sure, full of glucose, fructose and sucrose just waiting to get into your bloodstream and mess up your regime.
  • peasantgirly
    peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
    BEANS

    20 is so low, do you get dizzy? (I have my macros set for 30% Carbs, which is lower than most folks. I am set for 113grams today. All from plants)

    Nope, don't get dizzy. In fact, some days I have less than 10 carbs (and 4 are from my vitamins!), and I FEEL GREAT! My energy levels are so consistent now, not spikes and crashes anymore. It's made an amazing difference in my life.
    Do you just keep refined carbs that low or any? I am not sure since I don't watch that kind of stuff but I know my banana this morning has more than 20 carbs and it helps with my energy for the day.

    That's all carbs - after substracting for fiber which doesn't get digested so therefore isn't counted. I know what you mean about fruit for breakfast, it definitely picks me up. My problem is with the crash I get later in the day when my sugar drops. I prefer to keep it more even, which I achieve with ketosis (fat-burning).
    you don't need carbs, the fatty acids will fuel the muscles nicely especially if you've been low carbing for a while.

    Yeah, I know I don't need them, but sometimes I *want* them, lol. I was hoping I could "earn" some extras with this hike! :) I've been low-carbing for about 3 weeks now, I guess. Does that qualify as "a while"? :tongue:
    For instant energy, nothing is better than carbs, and you probably will need quite a lot of that on that hike :p Just take with you snacks that are high in protein and carbs, might make you feel better about the carbs, and enjoy :)

    I truly don't see how you manage to eat anything healthy and remain under 20g per day though... I think I get more than that from a banana and a cup of broccoli.

    Well, fruits and veggies are certainly full of nutrients, but OTOH, there is a lot of conflicting arguments about high protein/high fat vs high carb/low fat diets, and all I can say is I "feel" healthier on the former. Of course, I'm eating healthy fats (avocados, nuts, etc), and eating healthy proteins (chicken, fish), so that does make a difference. I imagine if I was eating hotdogs and crisco, I'd probably feel like crap, LOL.
    You can up them as it's the % that matters not the gms. I would go for things like sweet potatoes and bananas :)
    Thanks! I was hoping to hear that! :happy:

    I think the OP should stick with what she knows and avoid advice from sugar burners operating in a different mode.

    Adding 30g of carbs gives you an underwhelming 120 calories, I really don't see the point.

    Avoid sweet fruit for sure, full of glucose, fructose and sucrose just waiting to get into your bloodstream and mess up your regime.
    Well, darn, I was hoping to bring along berries to snack on....
  • Masterdo
    Masterdo Posts: 331 Member
    Well, darn, I was hoping to bring along berries to snack on....

    Bring them!

    There is no way anything related to healthy lifestyle would actively prevent you from eating berries on a 2k calories hike...
  • peasantgirly
    peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
    Well, darn, I was hoping to bring along berries to snack on....

    Bring them!

    There is no way anything related to healthy lifestyle would actively prevent you from eating berries on a 2k calories hike...

    Except I don't want to kick myself out of ketosis. I'm not here to debate whether or not low-carb is "healthy", I just want advice from experienced low-carbers who aren't going to preach to me.
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    my favourite thing for energy if i know i`m gonna be out walking a while is..

    Mash up an advocado, throw in some protein powder and some strawberries...Then add 15ml grade b maple syrup...I never have a crash on that...And if i do, its down to the walk and not the sugar. And you know me PG...I`m always walking sonewhere..

    Edited for mg instead of ml..
  • peasantgirly
    peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
    my favourite thing for energy if i know i`m gonna be out walking a while is..

    Mash up an advocado, throw in some protein powder and some strawberries...Then add 15ml grade b maple syrup...I never have a crash on that...And if i do, its down to the walk and not the sugar. And you know me PG...I`m always walking sonewhere..

    Edited for mg instead of ml..

    Jonski! :)

    Ugh, out of avocados, and I don't keep anything sweet in the house (no syrup). I'm just gonna stop by the store on the way and grab some strawberries and blackberries. But I will definitely remember your suggestion for next time!

    You need a vacation, stop walking so much!!!!
  • spngebobmyhero
    spngebobmyhero Posts: 823 Member
    I don't know much about staying in ketosis, but I eat fairly low carb (25% of cals). I would stick with starchy veggies, like squash and sweet potatoes and lower sugar fruits, like berries! Don't do dried fruit, really high in sugar!
  • firedragon064
    firedragon064 Posts: 1,082 Member
    1 hour before your work out, eat carb < 50gr. The amount of carb is depend on how hard you will work out.
    It may kick you out of your keto stage but you body will burn off the carb and you will come back in keto stage after the work out.
    In general, once you are in keto stage, if you eat less 100g of carb a day, you will still in keto stage
    tho your "pee" stick won't show it.

    if you do heavy workouts almost every day, check out CKD and TKD diet.. it will how you how to do low carb with med/hi intensity work out daily.
  • volume77
    volume77 Posts: 670 Member
    First let me say congrats on adopting this lifestyle!!! Even with all the naysayers... I know I'm in love with low carb... As far as upping the carbs for exercise... I'd say go for it if you want just stag. Under 50 total for the day that's approximately the amount you need to stay in ketosis...going from 20-30 is not a big deal... I'm in maintenance now and my carbs range from 25-50 depending on how much gum I chew that day!!!! Lol congrats on your success so far and please don't let the carb eaters freak you out!!!
  • volume77
    volume77 Posts: 670 Member
    I allow myself a few more carbs on workout days because I know I'll burn them off
  • VenomousDuck
    VenomousDuck Posts: 206
    I maintain my carbs at 10% of my 1500 calorie day and have never had an issue.
  • Geminieve24
    Geminieve24 Posts: 364 Member
    Grapefruit is great...low-carb protein bars...a protein drink...just to list off a few things...good luck!
  • banksave
    banksave Posts: 18 Member
    carbs = bad
    Protein and fats = good

    my opinion = :smile:

    Just saying :)
  • peasantgirly
    peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
    1 hour before your work out, eat carb < 50gr. The amount of carb is depend on how hard you will work out.
    It may kick you out of your keto stage but you body will burn off the carb and you will come back in keto stage after the work out.
    In general, once you are in keto stage, if you eat less 100g of carb a day, you will still in keto stage
    tho your "pee" stick won't show it.

    if you do heavy workouts almost every day, check out CKD and TKD diet.. it will how you how to do low carb with med/hi intensity work out daily.
    Thank you!! I will definitely check out those diets you mentioned.

    First let me say congrats on adopting this lifestyle!!! Even with all the naysayers... I know I'm in love with low carb... As far as upping the carbs for exercise... I'd say go for it if you want just stag. Under 50 total for the day that's approximately the amount you need to stay in ketosis...going from 20-30 is not a big deal... I'm in maintenance now and my carbs range from 25-50 depending on how much gum I chew that day!!!! Lol congrats on your success so far and please don't let the carb eaters freak you out!!!
    Nah, they don't freak me out. I know what works me for. I wish they wouldn't criticise my choices when I don't criticise theirs. I recognize that one way of eating/weight loss does not work for everybody and I respect their right to eat what they want. I just ask for the same respect. I don't go in their threads and tell them to eat less carbs.

    As far as how many carbs I can safely eat, the reason I was so concerned is because anything much more than 20 kicks me out. I am highly sensitive to carbs. I know one poster said anything under 100 will keep you in ketosis even if the Ketostix doesn't show it, and I won't argue the point because I have no idea. What I do know is that anything over 25 or so and my weight loss STOPS cold, so I have to be vigilant.

    Grapefruit is great...low-carb protein bars...a protein drink...just to list off a few things...good luck!
    You know, I just realized the other day how low in net carbs grapefruit is, like 3 net carbs for a whole grapefruit! I'll try to remember that for the next hike.

    Shoot, I don't know what I was worried about. Even with the berries I'm still only at 21 net for the day. But still, it's good to know. It was something I've been wondering about.

    Off to research CKD and TKD diets...

    Thanks for all the help guys!!

    BTW, any lowcarbers out there feel free to add me!!
  • JCWANNABE
    JCWANNABE Posts: 15 Member
    I hope you have a great hike tomorrow! I've lost over 100 pounds doing low carb (meaning 20 ish carbs a day) in the past and was a total gym rat. I had so much energy eating low carb. As soon as I stopped low carbing I ate the same amount of calories but gained it all back (new hubby did not think low carb was healthy).

    In all my going to the gym I never needed any extra carbs. I'm totally with you! You don't "need" the carbs to go on your hike. You might be able to eat an extra ten or so and not be kicked out of ketosis, emphasis on the MIGHT. But, if you don't eat the extra carbs and you go and get all that exercise you will probably see a drop of a pound or more on the scale come Monday. So just kind of weigh your pro's and con's. I LOVE strawberries and totally eat a few when ever I get the chance. They are pretty low carb if you don't end up face planting in the bowl and eating too many. Mmmm. Now I want some cut up strawberries with whole cream drizzled on top. High fat low carb, just the way I like it! A beautiful recipe for weight loss the healthy way!

    Oh, and just for the record: I only started exercising again a few days ago. But in the last 7 1/2 weeks I have been scarfing on tons of butter, cheese, red meat, heavy whole cream, and bunches of other low carb yummies. And in that time I have lost 24.6 pounds. That's a lot of weight to lose eating tons, never being hungery, and not exercising. And yes, I am just being kind of a putz to the rabid anti-low carb people who have never tried it but seem to have a lot to say against it ; ).

    Oh yeah, the hike! I like to pack lots of things like nuts and beef sticks. Smoked almonds are the best! And they are only 2 carbs an ounce.
  • peasantgirly
    peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
    I hope you have a great hike tomorrow! I've lost over 100 pounds doing low carb (meaning 20 ish carbs a day) in the past and was a total gym rat. I had so much energy eating low carb. As soon as I stopped low carbing I ate the same amount of calories but gained it all back (new hubby did not think low carb was healthy).

    In all my going to the gym I never needed any extra carbs. I'm totally with you! You don't "need" the carbs to go on your hike. You might be able to eat an extra ten or so and not be kicked out of ketosis, emphasis on the MIGHT. But, if you don't eat the extra carbs and you go and get all that exercise you will probably see a drop of a pound or more on the scale come Monday. So just kind of weigh your pro's and con's. I LOVE strawberries and totally eat a few when ever I get the chance. They are pretty low carb if you don't end up face planting in the bowl and eating too many. Mmmm. Now I want some cut up strawberries with whole cream drizzled on top. High fat low carb, just the way I like it! A beautiful recipe for weight loss the healthy way!

    Oh, and just for the record: I only started exercising again a few days ago. But in the last 7 1/2 weeks I have been scarfing on tons of butter, cheese, red meat, heavy whole cream, and bunches of other low carb yummies. And in that time I have lost 24.6 pounds. That's a lot of weight to lose eating tons, never being hungery, and not exercising. And yes, I am just being kind of a putz to the rabid anti-low carb people who have never tried it but seem to have a lot to say against it ; ).

    Oh yeah, the hike! I like to pack lots of things like nuts and beef sticks. Smoked almonds are the best! And they are only 2 carbs an ounce.

    OMG, smoked almonds! If you look at my diary you'll see how much I love smoked almonds, lol. Not so much lately cuz my stash ran out (stocked up when they were BOGO, waiting for the next sale now). But yeah, smoked almonds, mmmmm...

    Ask your hubby if being 100 pounds overweight is healthy!: Who is he to tell you what you're allowed to eat? Don't let people control you. Only YOU know what's best for YOU. ohwell:

    The hike was actually yesterday and it was great! It was nice to be able to eat strawberries without worrying. Makes me wanna hike more :laugh:
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I will do that, the day I find a sub 10 hours Kona Ironman finisher eating less than 20g of carbs per day. "Slim couch potatoes" might do well with that, but if burning 1.5k calories is your "easy" day, no way this will turn out fine :p
    No idea what those words mean, but http://eatlikeaswede.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/interview-ultraman-world-champion-swedish-athlete-jonas-colting-eats-lchf/ may be your kind of guy
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