Carbohydrates are a necessary part of a healthy diet. However, there are both ideal and not-so-ideal times during the day to eat them. According to several health and fitness experts, there are key points during the day where one should avoid eating carbs if possible. Otherwise, you may be feeding yourself energy that won’t be used effectively.
“The best times to eat carbohydrates is first thing in the morning because you will have the whole day to use up that energy,” said dietitian Shana Spence, MS, RDN, CDN via Bustle. “Carbohydrates do turn into sugar but the more complex ones will be delayed in doing so.”
Complex carbs, like wheat breads and pastas, potatoes, oatmeal, squash and beans, sustain energy for hours. Simple carbs, those being sugar-rich foods, spike one’s blood sugar, which supplies a short-lived burst of energy. Then, as one’s blood sugar levels drop, the energy dies with it.
“As a general rule, it’s healthier to have a larger meal with high-quality carbohydrates earlier in the day, with the remainder of your meals and snacks being smaller for dinner and the rest of the evening,” Robert Glatter, MD assistant professor of Emergency Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, told Reader’s Digest.
So, with that being said, it’s best if carbs are avoided at these times during the day:
1. Post-Work Out.
“Although it is true you should eat carbohydrates post-workout to replenish glycogen, only a small amount is necessary, such as 15-20g,” Alysa Boan, NASM certified personal trainer at FitnessTrainer.com and RealFitnessMaven, told Bustle. “However, pre-workout you should be consuming closer to 25-35g of carbohydrates for energy to get through the workout.”
Furthermore, nutritionist Jennifer Bowers, PhD, RD, explained to Reader’s Digest that sometimes eating too many carbs before a big workout may even work against you. Major carbo-loads before strenuous exercises like cycling sprints can cause gastrointestinal issues including nausea. So keep your carbs in check pre- and post-workout.
2. Dinnertime.
“By the end of the day we have minimal use for energy stores and therefore do not need to fuel with carbohydrates,” Boan told Bustle.
Dietitian Sian Porter told the UK’s National Health Service, “Not all carbs are the same. It’s the type, quality and quantity of carbohydrate in our diet that is important. While we should reduce the amount of free sugar in our diet, we should base our meals on starchy carbs, particularly the higher fibre varieties.”
We love our Italian Mother Mondays more than the next person, but all that ravioli might be amping us up too close to bedtime. Instead, Boan recommended via Bustle lean proteins, healthy fats, and vegetables (like starchy potatoes or yams) — all of which can help our bodies take a chill pill before hitting the hay.
3. Before bed.
Because we know that our bodies turn carbohydrates into sugar, producing sugar at bedtime is a major no-no. That extra sugar energy may keep you tossing and turning all night long.
If you’re prone to scavenging around the fridge for second dinner, make sure it’s not made up of carbs.
Although this is all valid and good advice, it’s hard for us to imagine weaning carbs out of our dinnertime.
Pasta and bread are just so comforting. We need that comfort after a long, stressful day!
Tonight’s dinner is brought to you by “forget this diet I want carbs.” pic.twitter.com/XjMnETgR7h
— lex (@elderemo_mama) February 19, 2019
It’s not like we haven’t tried cutting carbs at dinnertime. We were just peer pressured into picking them back up again.
It…it just felt wrong. What can we say?
I just ate a salad and it felt like I was cheating on carbs
— minkitypinkity ❤️ (@minkpinkustink) February 18, 2019
We just can’t quit you, carbs. We just can’t!
This is the next love story we want to see Netflix produce. It’s time for this modern love to get put on screen.
We’re trying to think of our relationship with carbs in a positive way. We don’t need money when we have our carbs.
#ImRichBecause I measure wealth in carbs
— Twiticulture (@twiticulture) February 20, 2019
Hello? We need carbs to survive. Right?
carbs are necessary and keto is idiotic.
— pistachio gelato // 🍉 (@soyproteen) February 21, 2019
ty for coming to my ted talk
And we will not be stifled by those who think differently. Sorry.
Online dating is hard.
— Carbosly (@Carbosly) February 19, 2019
🎶 I will do anything for love, but I won’t give up carbs 🎶 pic.twitter.com/InXcaz2AON
Although, we realize there are limits. If we have to cut our carb intake, then we’re going to need to find something else to keep us busy. Anyone have any ideas?
Someone find me a hobby that doesn’t include using my debit card or eating carbs please and thanks
— Paige (@PaigeAshtonnnn) February 21, 2019
Yeah. Didn’t think so.
— Batgirl (@deviantbatgirl) February 20, 2019
We’ll try to adhere to these health rules for our own good. But if the carbs call to us, we must respond.
