Have you ever heard of the carb cycling diet, and start wondering what it is? Well, in this beginner's guide to carb cycling, you'll know more about this diet, how it works and what's the benefit.
In fact, deciding to limit or cut carbs is something that many people on diets tend to decide to do to help increase their overall weight loss and appearance. Some people find that cutting carbs out almost completely can be a quick way to shed the pounds, while others rely on a method called carb cycling to work.
Trying to cut out carbs completely isn't a long term solution because carbs are an important part of giving you energy. Your body can and will use the carbs that you consume by burning them into something usable for your body to use. Finding carbs that your body can process easier may be a better answer that you're looking for.
If you happen to be someone that enjoys carbs but knows that you need to limit them and their intake, carb cycling may be what you and your body are looking for.
What is Carb Cycling?
In a nutshell, carb cycling is like it sounds.
Consuming carbs in a cyclical manner that varies depending on your lifestyle and exercise program during the week.Fueling your body with carbs is important, but learning how to do so in the most effective way possible to burn those carbs is the point of actually starting to carb cycle.
How does carb cycling work?
Carb cycling is actually quite simple to understand but can be difficult for some to tackle. Start by understanding that carb cycling basically has three different cycles:
- High carb diet days
- Low carb diet days
- No carb diet days
High carb diet days
On high carb diet days, carbs are consumed more than any other days. This is done typically on days that more exercise of physical activity is planned as well. The reason for this is that as you're working out your body, your body is burning the carbs that you're consuming as well.
Keep in mind that high carb days don't mean that you go crazy on carbs, but these are the days when you can eat more and "stockpile" a bit of that carb energy.
On high carb diet days, most people consume 2-2.5 grams of carbohydrates per each body pound that they weigh.
Since everyone weighs differently, there isn't a "one size fits all" amount of carbs to consume, but more based on your weight and physical activity. (If you have questions about what a high carb diet day should look like you can always ask your doctor for advice as well.)
A high carb day diet plan
Meal 1: Breakfast
2 whole eggs scrambled in coconut oil
Gluten free porridge with honey and fresh berries
Meal 2: Lunch
Homemade turkey burgers with serving of rice
3 rice cakes and a banana
Meal 3: Snack
Small baked potato topped with tuna and side salad
Meal 4: Workout Nutrition
Post workout shake: serving of protein powder blended with fresh berries, rice milk and large ripe banana
Meal 5: Evening Meal
Large chicken breast stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes wrapped in Parma ham, served with white jasmine rice Snack of choice
Low carb diet days
On low carb diet days, carbs are still consumed, but in a lower volume than compared to your high carb diet days. Those who participate in low carb diet days can lower their carb intake to whatever works for them and their body, but some prefer to keep their carb intake to .5 grams of carbohydrates for every pound of their body weight.
This allows for carbs to still be eaten, but in a lesser amount than their high carb diet days.
A low carb day diet plan
Meal 1: Breakfast
4 whole eggs scrambled in coconut oil with spinach
Serving protein powder with greens powder
Meal 2: Lunch
Homemade turkey burgers with large side salad
Large handful of roasted mixed nuts
Meal 3: Snack
Small sweet potato topped with tuna and cheese
Meal 4: Evening Meal
Large chicken breast wrapped stuffed with olives wrapped in Parma ham, served with roasted seasonal vegetables topped with olive oil
No carb diet days
No carb diet days are just like they sound. There is wiggle room in the no carb diet days and putting a cap on the number of cabs is good.
Limiting to 30 grams-50 grams of carbohydrates or less on no carb diet days is a good way to start burning through some of the stored fat that you've been carrying around.
The Keto is one of the many no card diets in use these days.
Read Also: A beginner's guide to Intermittent FastingIs carb cycling right for you?
That question can only be answered by you and your needs. If you are wanting to try to lose weight, carb cycling can help. What most people tend to overlook about carb cycling is that it can be difficult in the beginning to limit your number of carbs.
People have noticed that their moods and attitudes can alter when cutting out the carbohydrates from their diet, so this is something to be aware of as well.
Lack of carbohydrate consumption is someone who has consistently eaten carbs their entire life can also result in:
- Foggy brain
- Lack of energy
- Irritability
While those aren't all the symptoms, they're some of the more common ones that people tend to go through.
As with any change in diet or eating habit, your body can and will get used to carb cycling. It takes a little bit of time for your body to make that transition, but once it does, those feelings and symptoms may start to dissipate a bit.
How to Carb Cycle
First, understand that carb cycling will take a lot of meal planning and prep.Now that we've got the concept covered, let's cover how to get started with carb cycling.
It's hard to limit carbs and if you're unprepared and don't plan ahead with food ideas and meals, you're that much easier to fall off the carb cycle wagon and lose your way.
To start your carb cycling, start on a no carb diet day paired with a bit of activity.Also, understand that on your high carb diet days, you still need to be aware of what you are eating. Junk food is still junk food, even if you are following the parameters of your set number of carbs. Eating 200 grams of french fry carbohydrates isn't healthy and that's something that we can all agree on.
Don't do your toughest and most strenuous exercise day on your no carb day, but opposite instead.
After your no carb day comes your low carb day, then followed by your high carb day.
Once you reach your high carb day, use this day as the day that you are doing the most intense exercise as well. That way you're fueled up to tackle whatever the day will bring.
Once you peaked at your high carb day, start backward and go back to your low carb day, followed by your no carb day and keep repeating that cycle over and over again.
Some people take a day off here and there to not have to count carbs or get burnt out, but that is up to you and your willpower.
If you can count your carbs and follow your meal plan, you can and will find success with carb cycling.Carb cycling can be a great way to help lose weight that you've had problems losing in the past.
Categories: Health and Beauty
Article written by Veruska Anconitano aka La Cuochina Sopraffina
