{"id":105309,"date":"2023-10-11T15:53:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T19:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/?p=105309"},"modified":"2023-10-11T15:55:42","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T19:55:42","slug":"runners-stop-cutting-carbs-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/health-nutrition\/runners-stop-cutting-carbs-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Runners: stop cutting carbs (here’s why)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eliminating carbohydrate from our diets is a popular topic in mainstream media, as well as within running culture. Some people swear by keto, or eating a high-protein diet with minimal carbs, but there is science backing why many of the best runners on the planet<\/a> continue to fuel and perform well with high-carb diets. Before you start tossing your whole-grain bread and banning your carb-load dinners pre-race, there are a few things you should understand about carbs.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Unsplash\/ilya-shishikhin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carbs are our primary energy source<\/h2>\n

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary and most efficient source of energy. During all exercise (but particularly during endurance running), your body relies heavily on stored carbohydrate (glycogen) for fuel. Eliminating that source can result in a lack of energy<\/a> and decreased performance. All carbs are not equal nutritionally; runners (like everyone) should aim to eat whole-grain sources that are as minimally processed as possible (for example, choosing whole-grain bread over white, and steel-cut oats over regular oats).<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, fad diets and misinformation about nutrition are easily accessible; some people may choose to cut carbs<\/a> because they’ve heard that it’s an effective way to lose weight or improve health, even if these claims are not evidence-based.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Fueling Forward (@fueling_forward)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n