Carbohydrate intake

Whether you're a professional athlete or a beginner, proper nutrition is essential to optimizing your performance. One of the most important components of sports nutrition is carbohydrates. In this edition of our newsletter, we delve into how carbohydrates function as fuel for your body and how you can best utilize them to maximize your performance.

_____________________________________________________________________________

What are carbohydrates and why are they important for sports?

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy, especially during intense physical activity. When you consume carbohydrates, they are converted into glucose, which is then stored in your muscles as glycogen. During training and competition, your body burns glycogen to provide energy to your muscles. This means that the better you "fill up" on carbohydrates before and during exercise, the longer and harder you can perform.

_____________________________________________________________________________

How to optimize your carbohydrate intake

• Before training: To ensure you have enough energy to get the most out of your workout, it's important to fill up on carbohydrates about 3-4 hours before. A good source can be a serving of oatmeal, a banana, or a sandwich with white bread and lean protein.
• During exercise: If you are exercising for a longer period of time (over 1 hour), you may benefit from consuming carbohydrates during exercise to maintain energy levels. Our C30 Energy Gel , Premium Endurance or C35 Fuel Bar are good sources. This is especially important for athletes who participate in endurance sports such as marathons, cycling or triathlons, as they often train for several days in a row.
• After training: After an intense workout, it's important to replace the carbohydrates you've burned. A combination of carbohydrates and protein will help restore glycogen stores and repair muscle damage. Here's how to eat an Athlete Bar and a banana, or a wrap with chicken and vegetables.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Tips:

• Test your strategy: Every body is different. Try experimenting with different carbohydrate sources and timings to find what works best for you.
• Hydration: Don't forget to drink enough fluids along with your carbohydrates. Fluids are just as important as energy to maintain performance. Here we recommend Premium Endurance , as it contains both carbohydrates and electrolytes.

_____________________________________________________________________________

We hope this guide helps you optimize your carbohydrate intake and ensure you have the energy you need to perform at your best.

If you are interested in more knowledge, you can read our other Guides here: Guides-Link