Mon, Apr-21-03, 21:57
|
 |
Senior Member
Posts: 120
|
|
Plan: Atkins ("true" Induction since April 1)
Stats: 184.5/172/130
BF:yuck%/yuck%/yuck%
Progress: 23%
Location: Houston
|
|
Hi!  
Dr. Atkins wrote in his book about the myth that a bowl of pasta or other carbs is necessary for runners and other athletes before a game. He said that many veggies also have carbs...the same kind that provides the energy we might try to get from a bagel....only healthier. I can't remember the exact chapter in the book, but here's an excerpt from the AtkinsCenter.com website:
Quote:
The Myth of Carb-Loading
You've probably heard of marathoners and other elite athletes inhaling gargantuan amounts of pasta before big endurance events, often referred to as carb-loading. It turns out that fat-loading may be more effective. More scientific research is required, however, studies on both animals and humans have suggested that a fat-rich diet may increase endurance. A 1994 study compared the effects of a high-carb/low-fat diet and a high-fat/low-carb diet on two groups of trained cyclists. During high-intensity exercise, the groups performed equally well; during prolonged, moderate-intensity exercise, endurance was significantly enhanced among the cyclists on the high-fat/low-carb regimen1. Two other studies on humans suggest that increasing dietary fat from 15 percent to 42 percent of total intake increases maximum oxygen consumption and endurance capacity2-3. The published research suggests that increases in dietary fat may be beneficial—not only for general health, but also for physical endurance. (you can find the full article, with scientific references, here.)
|
Also,
Quote:
As a runner, I'm used to carb loading before competitive events. Will following the Atkins Nutritional Approach impact my endurance?
It is a misconception that carb-loading is the best way to prepare yourself for endurance exercise. Although an overabundance of carbs might give you an initial burst of energy, that surge can then lead to a sharp drop in your blood sugar—resulting in fatigue--later in your workout. This isn’t to say that you should eliminate carbs from your diet, but endurance athletes will do better by consuming moderate amounts of nutrient-dense, unrefined carbohydrates, found in foods such as kale, spinach and broccoli, to ensure stable blood sugar throughout a workout.
A 1994 study of well-trained cyclists demonstrated the principle that a controlled carb diet contributes to improved endurance. Subjects on a 7 percent carbohydrate diet were able to pedal nearly twice as long as those whose diet consisted of 74 percent carbs.
If you are contemplating switching to a lower-carb eating plan, do so during training, never right before a race. It should take your body about two weeks to adjust, so don’t worry if you don’t experience extra energy immediately. The amount of carbohydrate you should consume also relates to your percentage of body fat. If you are overweight, stay on the lowest level of carb consumption that suits your needs while still allowing you to lose weight. On the other hand, if your weight is normal, simply stick to vegetables, whole grains, berries and other fruits low in sugar and other healthful complex carbs, avoiding junk foods and refined sugar. (The full article is here .)
|
Hope this helps!!
Anshim
|