The Nick Bare Podcast 163: Carbohydrates & Performance: Fueling for Strength, Endurance, and Hypertrophy
13 snips
Mar 2, 2026 A pro-carb perspective on how carbohydrates power training, recovery, and mental performance. Breakdown of insulin, insulin resistance, and myths about low-carb and keto trends. Practical guidelines for how many carbs to eat and how to adjust intake by training volume. Discussion of glycogen, carb loading, and choosing whole-food carb sources for endurance, strength, and hypertrophy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Nick's Short Keto Trial And Why He Quit
- Nick tried low carb and keto for a short period and felt flat, depleted, and unable to train effectively.
- He stopped because it impaired his gym performance and he didn't enjoy the approach socially or physically.
Why Carbs Are The Fastest Fuel
- Carbohydrates are the body's primary and fastest energy source, converting to glucose which fuels muscles and brain via ATP production.
- Nick Bare explains one gram of carbs equals 4 kcal and insulin moves glucose into cells where it's used or stored as ATP for activity.
Insulin Is A Tool Not A Villain
- Insulin is necessary to clear blood glucose into cells and regulate energy balance, not inherently 'bad'.
- Nick contrasts transient insulin response to chronic insulin resistance driven by long-term poor lifestyle, visceral fat, and genetics.
