How to plan your recommended daily carb intake. From LYMA’s nutrition team.
We all have a love / hate relationship with carbohydrates. They can make us feel great but also unwanted feelings of guilt after a splurge.
It’s important to remember that carbs are essential and there is a time and a place for them. Learning when to eat carbs is especially important when you are looking to improve your body composition over a period of time.
Save higher carb whole foods for post-workout. After intense training is the best time to eat carbs because your metabolism is elevated, and carbs will be used to replenish muscle glycogen instead of stored as fat. Eating carbs after training can reduce stress levels through the hormone cortisol, which can improve body composition over time.
If you have body composition goals, avoid carbs and sports drinks before or during your workout because muscle glycogen will be full and there’s no need for the extra calories. So, no sugar or fruit pre workout.
Studies show women are at a disadvantage when it comes to leaning out the thighs and glutes, and they tend to lose fat from the upper body first when doing an exercise program. Therefore, its essential women take advantage of the big lifts that favour the posterior chain because this will lead to the greatest hormonal and metabolic impact, so as to produce measurable body composition changes. Think of deadlifts and squats.
Bedtime Carbs? Carbs can definitely be a useful sleeping pill too. Carbs at night can help increase serotonin, promoting good sleep. Meat can do the opposite and elevate dopamine which can keep you more wired.
LYMA’s anti-inflammatory formula will also help you to reap benefits in the gym, aiding your recovery and boosting energy in your workouts. HydroCurc is the highest turmeric grade of its kind and has a host of peer reviewed studies to prove its efficacy in our bodies.
LYMA’s Carbs of choice
- Quinoa
- Sweet potato
- Brown rice
- Blueberries
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, spinach)