Carbohydrates – Whats the deal?
Written by Phil Learney – PhD Strength & Conditioning expert
The thing about carbohydrates as a nutrient they’re non-essential. There are numerous functions and mechanisms within the body that rely heavily on glycogen in order to be operational but we can convert and make glycogen from the other two essential nutrients protein (Amino acids) and Dietary fats.
As westerners the issue and challenge that we have is that we’re just not very good at this conversion. Years of filling our plates with carbohydrates as a priority have led our systems to be inefficient at this whole process. Couple this with the fact that we only have a distinct warning mechanism for drops in blood sugar we continue to overeat on this raw form of ‘energy’. This leaves us, if weight loss is our goal with the only option but to restrict calories. In many cases this makes us fall short of the two essential nutrients that are in essence free as they have a constant and if training evolving job. This restriction from a longevity perspective is hugely detrimental but from an aesthetic perspective makes adaptation to training almost impossible.
Protein yields 4k/cal of energy per gram.
Dietary fats 9k/cal of energy per gram.
All of this energy can be converted to glycogen should we need it, carbohydrates have a more direct path which unless under HIGH energy demands isnt required.
The one great thing about carbohydrates which has always been at the forefront of the food industry is they’re cheap to both produce, cheap for the consumer and yield a healthy profit margin.
in·dus·try/ˈindəstrē/
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The FOOD Industry is defined by not what we should be eating but more of what serves our economy the best.
Sickness, food addictions and obesity are ALL incredible money spinners for governments worldwide. They will however tell us that it’s a concern now and again to keep us happy.
This filters right into the supplement industry and the ‘other’ market the mass gain market which is riddled with powders which create huge caloric influxes and cheap fillers that do this. Food turnover is the issue and frequency of meals when lean (note the word lean) mass gain is the goal. PhD Pharma Gain is therefore despite the ‘market’ its designed and branded to sit in actually a meal replacement. It is a simple ‘sell out’ and profit based supplements for most companies and is infact one of the reasons and ethical decisions that PhD make that makes me continue to work alongside them.
Carbohydrate intake is based on many criteria. If you refer to my ‘getting jacked’ article that you will find further down the page a reference to body types and carbohydrate tolerance/requirements. For those of a more scientific nature these decisions are based on the level of insulin resistance or sensitivity.
I will refer to the 3 charts I’ve used before that define 3 body types.
In essence those of you who want to drop body fat the level of heavy carbohydrates in your diet should be very restricted with the only influx coming post workout (critical for progress, PhD Recovery 2.1 serves this purpose or a blend of PhD Waxy Vol and Pharma Whey HT). Ninety percent of westerners in the style of jobs they do can get enough fuel in their diets from proteins, fats and vegetables.
We just need a little transitional period to learn to use them effectively.
Just as a note, fruits are carbs as are vegetables and dairy produce. I don’t recommend a lot of fruit or dairy as its conversion to fuel isn’t great and makes the body work excessively hard to obtain it.
Carbohydrates are certainly not our enemy, they just need to be intelligently and strategically used. Omitting them completely is dangerous as is eating crazy amounts and as ever refined food MUST be avoided if health and looking good naked is a priority.
Phil Learney – Strength & Conditioning expert
25 Jan
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