# I ❤️CARBS! (and so should you!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Nutrition\ **Created:** [April 8, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210 "2020-04-08T21:25:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 32
**Author:** ![d\_diston](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/d_diston/32/10140_2.png) [@d\_diston](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/d_diston)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2021, 1:22pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/704 "2021-07-18T13:22:43Z")
> [@kryton57](#): > > I’m wondering now; for the last 2 years I’ve been low carb/high protein to drop weight through the base period, but now I’m wondering if I only dropped the carbs off the bike but used Carbs during the long base rides, would I get more out of the rides, recover quick and be stronger later in the year? Would I drop as much weight? Interesting question. My own personal experience has been fuel everything during base with a reasonable amount of carbs (50-60g p/h) = higher NP over long rides = more kJs burned = better body composition/better aerobic power. ---
**Author:** ![Kipstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Kipstrong](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Kipstrong)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2021, 5:57am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/705 "2021-07-19T05:57:10Z")
I have found for weight loss cutting fat and eating mainly high carb vegan really keeps weight low and energy levels high. And fuelling everything ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Doughnutman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/captain_doughnutman/32/7694_2.png) [@Captain\_Doughnutman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Captain_Doughnutman)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/706 "2021-08-23T01:47:32Z")
I saw these & couldn’t resist! ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/d/d/dd3e12feffb343563825c8ab58b022b4ccc1094f.jpeg) 38g carbs and 4g fat per pkg. Better than a CLIF bar and a lot cheaper! (Yes, there is actual glucose, milk, and honey in them! 🥛🍯) ---
**Author:** ![DazzaW1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dazzaw1/32/12908_2.png) [@DazzaW1](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DazzaW1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 5:14am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/707 "2021-08-23T05:14:06Z")
😋😋😋 ---
**Author:** ![dmalanda](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dmalanda/32/12908_2.png) [@dmalanda](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/dmalanda)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/708 "2021-08-23T14:02:28Z")
I ❤CARBS! (and so should you!) Really, it blows my mind how controversial carbs are still to most cyclists out there! The way I see it, carbs are exactly like paint and brush. Let me explain: Giving carbs to a couch potato is like giving paint and brush to my 2 years old: it’s a terrible idea, and is guaranteed to end in tears. Paint = bad! Now, giving carbs to a cyclist about to embark in a VO2max workout is like giving a brush to Da Vinci: magic is about to happen! Paint = good! I ❤CARBS! (and so should you!) ---
**Author:** ![mwglow15](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mwglow15/32/28576_2.png) [@mwglow15](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mwglow15)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/709 "2021-08-23T16:07:49Z")
A bit late, but at 7-800kcal/hr you aren’t going to be able to eat too much. So I would just try to maximize your intake for most rides and then make sure that you compensate for that during the rest of the day so that you don’t over consume. I think that 50% number is a decent target and would require ~90g/hr which is relatively high but nothing that most people couldn’t hit without some practice and acclimation. ---
**Author:** ![admigo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/admigo/32/45845_2.png) [@admigo](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/admigo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/710 "2021-08-24T12:05:52Z")
I am currently resorting to pure honey in a flask, since my rides are so long and I struggle to carry what I need right now. This (along with some water to dilute) is working really well. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Doughnutman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/captain_doughnutman/32/7694_2.png) [@Captain\_Doughnutman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Captain_Doughnutman)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 12:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/711 "2021-08-24T12:53:20Z")
Mmm…honey might not be the best choice. It’s more fructose than glucose and only ~70% carbs. If you’re struggling to carry what you need now, honey is only making the problem worse! You’d be better just to pour straight up sugar water into the flask. ---
**Author:** ![admigo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/admigo/32/45845_2.png) [@admigo](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/admigo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 1:00pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/712 "2021-08-24T13:00:29Z")
Understand your point but so far has worked amazing for say 6 hour rides, cannot complain right now. ---
**Author:** ![admigo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/admigo/32/45845_2.png) [@admigo](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/admigo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 1:04pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/713 "2021-08-24T13:04:49Z")
and further to that, sugar water really works amazing a la @Dr_Alex_Harrison. Have also used this super concentrated too. Even better, costs literally nothing in comparison to a gel. ---
**Author:** ![ChefAcB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/chefacb/32/144835_2.png) [@ChefAcB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ChefAcB)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 1:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/714 "2021-08-24T13:53:10Z")
After BWR a few days ago, Gatorade/ sugar mix is what I’m definitely using going forward! My pockets are happy too. I’ve used honey in the past but I’m more of a maple syrup kinda of guy. Plus maple syrup is closer to sucrose than honey. If it works for you it works, don’t fix it if it ain’t broken! ---
**Author:** ![kryton57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@kryton57](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kryton57)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 11:19am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/715 "2021-08-25T11:19:15Z")
Can someone summarise the Sugar Water recipe please? I can’t find it and would like to try a bottle tonight… Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Doughnutman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/captain_doughnutman/32/7694_2.png) [@Captain\_Doughnutman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Captain_Doughnutman)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/716 "2021-08-25T14:13:16Z")
Ummm…put sugar in bottle, add water, shake…? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Sugar is 100% carbs so it’s easy to deal with: 1g sugar = 1g carbs. (by volume it’s a bit different) Weight out how much you want/need, add water to the consistency you want/need…that’s it! ---
**Author:** ![Gnome](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/gnome/32/139448_2.png) [@Gnome](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Gnome)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 2:15pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/717 "2021-08-25T14:15:37Z")
+salt sodium citrate 1tsp ~ 1000mg of sodium. I do 400mg sodium per 100cal +citric acid for taste(find it in the canning aisle) Love using this. makes sugar water way more palatable. ---
**Author:** ![ChefAcB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/chefacb/32/144835_2.png) [@ChefAcB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ChefAcB)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/718 "2021-08-25T14:22:16Z")
I have been doing 3 tbsp Gatorade, 5 tbsp of sugar and a pinch of sea salt. That equals 90g of carbs. ---
**Author:** ![kryton57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@kryton57](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kryton57)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/719 "2021-08-25T15:09:12Z")
Thanks, I thought it was obvious but it was so obvious I also thought I was in danger of being stupid. I’ve an hour of over / unders tonight so don’t need any added fructose, I’ll just use about 40g sugar, a pinch of salt and some squash for flavour. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Alex\_Harrison](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dr_alex_harrison/32/175880_2.png) [@Dr\_Alex\_Harrison](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Dr_Alex_Harrison)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/720 "2021-08-25T15:19:47Z")
Maybe also helpful, I really spelled it out how-to, here: [https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/?post=7453021#p7453021](https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/?post=7453021#p7453021) ---
**Author:** ![kryton57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@kryton57](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kryton57)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/721 "2021-08-25T16:53:38Z")
Thanks, I’m using what I have today which is Cane sugar and sea salt with Robinson’s blackcurrant squash, which doesn’t taste as bad as it sounds. Over here at 65p / $1 for 1kg of sugar this could save me a fortune. ---
**Author:** ![kryton57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@kryton57](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/kryton57)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/722 "2021-08-25T19:49:04Z")
So well ok, on a test of 1:20h which was 15 mins of an O/U interval bookend by High cadence Z2, the only difference I felt was that I noticed my Sugar water mix at 40g was twice the cals of a SIS gel. As I’m trying to drop 1KG by the end of September this isn’t good. ---
**Author:** ![d\_diston](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/d_diston/32/10140_2.png) [@d\_diston](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/d_diston)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210/723 "2021-08-25T20:41:52Z")
Yeah, but still nowhere near what you burnt on the bike (more fuel = more watts = more adaptations). Cut cals out at other times, not around workouts. [Previous page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210.md?page=31) [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/i-carbs-and-so-should-you/33210.md?page=33)