When is the best time to eat carbohydrates so they go to fueling your body rather than to fattening your body?
In other words, you want to eat carbohydrates when your body is BEST able to handle them, and that occurs two times a day.
That’s in the morning AND after intense exercise.
Carbohydrates are sugar AKA glucose. Research has shown that glucose tolerance is highest in the morning, so that would mean carbohydrates for breakfast. Mid morning would also work well too.
If you exercise later in the day, eating carbohydrates after exercise means that they will go towards recovery and replacing the energy you spent and NOT fat storage.
Here are some sample daily “carb-friendly” schedules for both exercise and non-exercise diets.
Exercise Day:
Breakfast: protein/carbs
Mid-morning: protein/fat
Lunch: protein/fat
Mid-afternoon: protein/fat
Evening (after exercise): protein/carbs
Pre-bed: protein/fat
Non-exercise Day:
Breakfast: protein/carbs
Mid-morning: protein/carbs
Lunch: protein/fat
Mid-afternoon: protein/fat
Evening: protein/fat
Pre-bed: protein/fat
If you feel stuck and need additional support to adopt a new healthy habit or routine, consider working with me. We can partner up in setting goals, drawing on your skills and strengths, and implementing strategies to help you find your way to lasting healthy success.
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For over 15 years, Shelli has been a freelance writer and wellness coach on Joyinmovement. She writes about brain fitness, creating a healthy lifestyle, traveling the world, and making positive habits stick. Stop procrastinating! Take action, join her free newsletter.
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