6 meals, where do I put the carbs?

AshleighRG101
AshleighRG101 Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
So, I work 12 hour shifts (6AM-6PM) and I work right after work. Do I include carbs in all 6 meals? If not, which meals and how much?

Replies

  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    Wherever you want them.
  • rheelizabeth
    rheelizabeth Posts: 160 Member
    I hear its better to eat the 'bad' foods as close to your workout as possible so you're body burns them faster/easier. However carbs are not 'bad' per say, unless you are on a low carb diet. I would say all the meals or whenever you feel like them :)
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    Wherever you want them.

    This.

    Meal/nutrient timing is irrelevant. Hit your macros a day and you're good.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Wherever you want them.

    This.

    Meal/nutrient timing is irrelevant. Hit your macros a day and you're good.
    That is what a few say, others say differently. I like to place my carbs Pre/Intra and post workout.


    It's just advice. However you do whatever the **** you wanna do.
  • Ellenmarie07
    Ellenmarie07 Posts: 1
    A nutritionist/trainer friend swears by consuming carbs early, by noon/lunchtime so your body can burn them through out the rest of the day. Eating in the opposite way most Americans do will help to...Eat your largest meals in the morning and finish the day with a light dinner. This way you won't sleep with heavy foods.
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    Wherever you want them.

    This.

    Meal/nutrient timing is irrelevant. Hit your macros a day and you're good.

    Aside from the whole 'why do we need carbs anyway' angle, on which we could no doubt riff forever with predictable results ... The human metabolism can only effectively process so much protein in one meal so it ain't just about 'hit your macros a day'.

    Check out 'Mastering Leptin' for more, if you like ...

    Back on topic, I put my carbs all over the place, as long as they are coming from leafy greens I am good :)
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    A nutritionist/trainer friend swears by consuming carbs early, by noon/lunchtime so your body can burn them through out the rest of the day. Eating in the opposite way most Americans do will help to...Eat your largest meals in the morning and finish the day with a light dinner. This way you won't sleep with heavy foods.

    Absolutely, eat well early on (not necessarily carb-heavy, but that's just me!) and just maintain yourself for the rest of the day.

    Meal timing matters.
  • epmck11
    epmck11 Posts: 159 Member
    Why are you eating 6 meals a day? Seems like a lot of work.

    Eat the carbs whenever you want them, it doesn't matter if you eat them first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or eat them in 6 different meals during the day. As long as you consume the same amount of carbs, your body doesn't care.

    For those saying meal timing matters, I'd take the advice of this guy over them: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Why are you eating 6 meals a day? Seems like a lot of work.

    Eat the carbs whenever you want them, it doesn't matter if you eat them first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or eat them in 6 different meals during the day. As long as you consume the same amount of carbs, your body doesn't care.

    For those saying meal timing matters, I'd take the advice of this guy over them: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
    And exaclty why would you take his advice over others? Martin has NO formal education in nutrition. I can see Alan Argon but Martin, why? Just because he is ripped?

    Honestly, I want to know why.
  • epmck11
    epmck11 Posts: 159 Member
    Why are you eating 6 meals a day? Seems like a lot of work.

    Eat the carbs whenever you want them, it doesn't matter if you eat them first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or eat them in 6 different meals during the day. As long as you consume the same amount of carbs, your body doesn't care.

    For those saying meal timing matters, I'd take the advice of this guy over them: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
    And exaclty why would you take his advice over others? Martin has NO formal education in nutrition. I can see Alan Argon but Martin, why? Just because he is ripped?

    Honestly, I want to know why.

    You're right, Berkhan does not have a degree in nutrition. He has a Masters in Health Sciences though, which I think is enough to make him knowledgeable enough to interpret the many scientific studies that he references that shows no benefits for eating small meals throughout the day and the lack of studies that point to the opposite. To discredit him because his degree isn't in nutrition seems naive, especially since he has a Masters in a related field. I think someone who has a Masters in American History still probably knows enough about history to interpret studies on World History, for instance.

    Anyway, if you would rather hear from Alan Aragon, here's some readings for you:
    http://www.leangains.com/2011/04/critique-of-issn-position-stand-on-meal.html
    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=123915821

    "The Primary Laws of Nutrient Timing
    The First Law of Nutrient Timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing.
    The Second Law of Nutrient Timing is: hitting your daily macronutrient targets is FAR more important than nutrient timing."

    He admits that for some individuals, nutrient timing may matter, but that these studies are done on endurance athletes and not weight lifting athletes. So unless you're a marathon runner, I wouldn't worry about it.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    The human metabolism can only effectively process so much protein in one meal so it ain't just about 'hit your macros a day'.

    And how much protein can the human body process, given that there is a limit?

    HINT: For protein synthesis purposes, this limit is likely higher than an individuals total daily requirement of protein which makes this irrelevant.

    http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/is-there-a-limit-to-how-much-protein-the-body-can-use-in-a-single-meal/
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Why are you eating 6 meals a day? Seems like a lot of work.

    Eat the carbs whenever you want them, it doesn't matter if you eat them first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or eat them in 6 different meals during the day. As long as you consume the same amount of carbs, your body doesn't care.

    For those saying meal timing matters, I'd take the advice of this guy over them: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
    And exaclty why would you take his advice over others? Martin has NO formal education in nutrition. I can see Alan Argon but Martin, why? Just because he is ripped?

    Honestly, I want to know why.

    I think it's important to look at multiple sources. For me, Aragon, Krieger, and McDonald are at the very top of that list for bodybuilding related nutrition. They also happen to agree on "most" topics.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    mmmm.... carbs. In my belly!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Any time you like. For me personally, I like each meal to include some carbs and some protein. That lets me feel most satisfied.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Why are you eating 6 meals a day? Seems like a lot of work.

    Eat the carbs whenever you want them, it doesn't matter if you eat them first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or eat them in 6 different meals during the day. As long as you consume the same amount of carbs, your body doesn't care.

    For those saying meal timing matters, I'd take the advice of this guy over them: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

    I think it's important to distinguish that you're looking at differences in body composition that are not performance driven. I'm sure (at least I hope) that you would agree that nutrient timing does have an effect on performance (variable from individual to individual) and this is something that shouldn't be ignored.
  • epmck11
    epmck11 Posts: 159 Member
    The human metabolism can only effectively process so much protein in one meal so it ain't just about 'hit your macros a day'.

    And how much protein can the human body process, given that there is a limit?

    HINT: For protein synthesis purposes, this limit is likely higher than an individuals total daily requirement of protein which makes this irrelevant.

    http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/is-there-a-limit-to-how-much-protein-the-body-can-use-in-a-single-meal/

    ^^^Solid post here.^^^
  • epmck11
    epmck11 Posts: 159 Member
    Why are you eating 6 meals a day? Seems like a lot of work.

    Eat the carbs whenever you want them, it doesn't matter if you eat them first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, or eat them in 6 different meals during the day. As long as you consume the same amount of carbs, your body doesn't care.

    For those saying meal timing matters, I'd take the advice of this guy over them: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

    I think it's important to distinguish that you're looking at differences in body composition that are not performance driven. I'm sure (at least I hope) that you would agree that nutrient timing does have an effect on performance (variable from individual to individual) and this is something that shouldn't be ignored.

    Yes, I agree, which is something I touched on in my follow up post... But unless the OP is a serious endurance athlete, I don't think eating 6 meals a day is all that necessary.
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