Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3283: Which Carbs Are Best - This Info Will Save Your Gains by Eric Leija on Workout Nutrition
22 snips
Feb 5, 2026 A clear look at why carbohydrates matter for high-intensity training and brain function. Discussion of limited glycogen stores and what causes sudden performance drops. Contrast between whole-food carbs and processed carbs, plus how fiber, protein, and fat change blood sugar. Practical tips on matching carb intake to training volume and experimenting with food pairings.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Carbs Power High-Intensity Performance
- Glucose from carbs is the body and brain's preferred fuel, especially for high-intensity work.
- Switching to fat slows rapid ATP production and can limit performance during intense exercise.
Limited Glycogen Means Performance Lulls
- Your body stores only limited readily available glucose and depletes it during intense efforts.
- When stores drop, the body shifts to fat, which supplies energy slower and can cause hitting a wall.
Choose Whole Carbs And Pair With Protein
- Favor whole-food carbs with fiber and pair them with protein or fat to blunt insulin spikes.
- Avoid repeatedly eating processed carbs that flood blood sugar and promote fat storage when glycogen is full.