Carbohydrates: The Ultimate Fuel

by Deborah English — January 14, 2008

Regardless of whether you are an athlete or simply exercise to keep fit and healthy, you need to supply your body with the right kind of fuel at the right time. Enter: carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is your body's fuel of choice. Excess carbohydrates are converted to glycogen which is stored mainly in your liver and muscles - resulting in a super-convenient source of energy for your muscles to use when you exercise! However, when it comes to consistently performing at your best, it's all in the timing - meaning your body must have the glycogen stores to use when you exercise.

There's a lot of discussion about whether you should exercise before breakfast. In theory, it appears that if you exercise 2 hours after a moderate meal and 4 after a large meal, your comfort levels and glycogen stores should be at their optimum. Conversely, other "experts" say that most of us use so little energy over night, that we have plenty of glycogen stored in our muscles to do at least a moderate workout in the morning.

This is how it works for me: If I don't exercise first-up, the chances that I will exercise during the day are pretty slim. So I run six mornings a week for 30 - 45 minutes. I'd have to wake at 4.30 to time breakfast right, and even a banana just doesn't sit well with me. I drink a large glass of hot water spiked with Aloe Vera and lemon juice a little while before I run.

When I get back home, I usually drink a little more water, stretch for 15 - 20 minutes, and then, still sticky from sweat, I eat breakfast. Organic muesli scattered generously with nuts and seeds, a grated apple, and cinnamon-spiked soy milk keeps my body (and muscles!) humming right up until lunch-time.

Interestingly, I find that a well-timed run after a healthily balanced meal of complex carbies, fat, and protein (especially important for muscle repair and growth) that my performance is basically the same - sometimes not as good as the morning runs! Maybe this is because my body has "clocked in" to my morning routine?

The Mayo Clinic Staff say that when it comes to eating and exercise, everyone is different. The main thing is to pay attention to your body during and post exercise and figure out which eating habits work for you.