# TR Feature request: used carbohydrate (in g) **URL:** \ **Category:** TrainerRoad Software\ **Tags:** feature-request\ **Created:** [August 7, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958 "2023-08-07T19:13:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cborsbach](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/cborsbach/32/25078_2.png) [@cborsbach](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/cborsbach)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/1 "2023-08-07T19:13:13Z")
Hi all, what do you think of a new field in the app (maybe swappable with the kJ field) that gives an estimation of the g carbohydrate you used in the workout so far? Or maybe a suggestion of how much you should take in. As the conversation shifts more and more to g carbohydrate to take in that would make sense - wouldn’t it? Curious to what others think of that idea. Cheers, Christoph ---
**Author:** ![cborsbach](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/cborsbach/32/25078_2.png) [@cborsbach](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/cborsbach)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/3 "2023-08-07T19:25:38Z")
Yeah pretty much! Wasn’t aware of that. Could look like this in TR maybe: ![g_carb_used_tr](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/1/a/1a76c239c29ae78dddab7e9def03f97d0a44ab03.png) ---
**Author:** ![Dexvd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dexvd/32/85098_2.png) [@Dexvd](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Dexvd)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/4 "2023-08-07T19:56:45Z")
It would have to be a calculation based on our individual weight’s but I would like a suggested carb intake I can look at before I start the workout. ---
**Author:** ![hpbieker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hpbieker/32/99832_2.png) [@hpbieker](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/hpbieker)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/5 "2023-08-07T20:15:16Z")
Doesn’t this carb/fat split only depend on the FTP/TP? If not, how is the weight impacting the split? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/6 "2023-08-07T22:52:37Z")
> [@hpbieker](#): > > Doesn’t this carb/fat split only depend on the FTP/TP? It would also vary with 1) cycling efficiency (the more efficient you are, the less fuel required), 2) habitual diet (we burn what we eat), 3) food intake in the last 6-8 h, 4) food intake during exercise, 5) sex (smaller effect), 6) menstrual cycle phase (smaller effect), 7) age (possibly), 8) other factors (e.g., genetics). Of the above, numbers 2 and 3 would likely be the biggest source of error. IOW, unless you _really_ know what you’re doing - perhaps even _if_ you know what you’re doing - it would be a WAG. Now _could_ you estimate things closely enough for the calculations to provide “actionable intelligence”? Time will tell. “It’s your glycogen budget - spend it wisely.” ---
**Author:** ![Dexvd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dexvd/32/85098_2.png) [@Dexvd](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Dexvd)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/7 "2023-08-08T00:51:05Z")
> [@hpbieker](#): > > Doesn’t this carb/fat split only depend on the FTP/TP? If not, how is the weight impacting the split? I’m not asking about carb/fat split just how much carbs to take in during a workout, I’ve never heard of anyone trying to take in a specific amount of fat during a race or workout. FTP/Intensity of the workout and weight would be needed to be considered for suggested carb intake I would expect. I would think at 58kg, I’m probably not going to need as much as someone who is 80kg at the same IF. At the same time it sounds like maybe nobody can take in enough carbs per hour to keep up with the burn rate in a race or hard workout. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 1:03am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/8 "2023-08-08T01:03:03Z")
> [@Dexvd](#): > > I’m not asking about carb/fat split just how much carbs to take in during a workout, At best, that’s only going to be loosely associated with how much carbohydrate you actually oxidize during exercise, due to 1) muscle glycogen being the primary source of carbohydrate and energy (and also not being influenced by carbohydrate supplementation during exercise), 2) variable liver glycogen stores, and 3) unknown factors (e.g., the rate of carbohydrate absorption during exercise). TL,DR: The best way to determine how much carbohydrate (and water) to ingest during exercise is to experiment on yourself. In particular, no app/algorithm/program is (can be) accurate enough to be worth the investment (in terms of money or just time). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/9 "2023-08-08T01:05:20Z")
> [@Dexvd](#): > > it sounds like maybe nobody can take in enough carbs per hour to keep up with the burn rate in a race or hard workout. Absolutely not. Any attempt to do so - or even come close - is completely misguided/demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of the physiology of exercise. ---
**Author:** ![hpbieker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hpbieker/32/99832_2.png) [@hpbieker](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/hpbieker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 5:54am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/10 "2023-08-08T05:54:52Z")
If you want to know how much to eat during a ride I suggest you check out EatMyRide. It has a data field for your Garmin Edge where you can track your burn and consumption in real time, I.e. it will show him much you have depleted so far based on the watts you are producing and you add what you eat as you ride. The app takes into account that it takes some time to digest different types of carbs, so even if you eat 200 g now it will only be available for your muscles gradually. There is also a functionality for planning a ride. > **[Always Eat What You Need: An Introduction to the Carbohydrate Burn / Intake...](https://eatmyride.com/always-eat-what-you-need-an-introduction-to-the-carbohydrate-burn-intake-balancer/)** > > Taking enough carbohydrates during your rides is vital. With the EatMyRide Carbohydrate Burn/Intake Balancer for Garmin you can track your carbohydrate burn and intake in realtime. ![IMG_1677](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/5/9/5985cca6a7dc4d571c341d71af6ac299deee58a0.png) ---
**Author:** ![hpbieker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hpbieker/32/99832_2.png) [@hpbieker](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/hpbieker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:11am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/11 "2023-08-08T06:11:06Z")
I am sure all these things will have an impact. However, I think Xert will make some assumptions to calculate how much carbs and fat you will burn during the ride and TrainerRoad would have to do something similar. ---
**Author:** ![carytb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/carytb/32/23710_2.png) [@carytb](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/carytb)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 7:56am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/12 "2023-08-08T07:56:03Z")
> [@The\_Cog](#): > > 1. cycling efficiency (the more efficient you are, the less fuel required), TR seems to assume an approx 25% efficiency (direct kJ;s to Kcals). When I did a met cart test a while back it gave an indication that I was only 18-19% efficient at the intensities I generally ride at. 😭 That makea a large difference in Kcals burnt and hence I assume carbs ---
**Author:** ![carytb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/carytb/32/23710_2.png) [@carytb](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/carytb)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 8:01am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/13 "2023-08-08T08:01:29Z")
I take it you have to have the Premium subscription to use this. ---
**Author:** ![hpbieker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hpbieker/32/99832_2.png) [@hpbieker](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/hpbieker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 8:12am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/14 "2023-08-08T08:12:20Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 11:20am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/15 "2023-08-08T11:20:34Z")
You know the old saying about assumptions, right? ---
**Author:** ![Mdavidford](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mdavidford/32/139441_2.png) [@Mdavidford](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Mdavidford)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 11:25am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/16 "2023-08-08T11:25:06Z")
That in the end, all of our knowledge is founded upon them? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 11:28am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/17 "2023-08-08T11:28:51Z")
Indeed, almost everyone’s efficiency will be lower than ~25%. Not only that, but gross efficiency varies with exercise intensity (as you implied). Just one more reason such estimates are a WAG at best. (This is also why they weren’t implemented in WKO4 - I don’t like lying to people by claiming to be able to calculate something accurately that can’t be. Same reason my ideas _d_FRC were never implemented.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 11:29am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/18 "2023-08-08T11:29:23Z")
Never heard that saying before. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 11:32am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/19 "2023-08-08T11:32:43Z")
How, with an app like that, do you prevent people from drawing the incorrect conclusion that they should attempt to replace everything that they have oxidized? ---
**Author:** ![shofmeister](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/shofmeister/32/85098_2.png) [@shofmeister](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/shofmeister)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 12:58pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/20 "2023-08-08T12:58:12Z")
Could you speak to/give examples of best strategies to form an operable understanding of an individual’s metabolic profile during exercise? It sounds like the prevailing position is that approximation via historical ride data is not precise. Are there specific gas exchange testing protocol that is currently a benchmark in physio lab research? Any recommended supplementary protocols? Any recommended re-test frequencies? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@The\_Cog](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/The_Cog)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958/21 "2023-08-08T14:03:44Z")
I don’t believe that lab testing is of any use in this context. As I have said many times before, train to improve your performance (power), and let your physiology sort itself out. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tr-feature-request-used-carbohydrate-in-g/85958.md?page=2)