Fitness
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Best Tips for Low-Carb Bodybuilding?

Troy Holmes
Troy Holmes

Low-carb bodybuilding is a form of bodybuilding that designed to shape muscles by decreasing fat and increasing muscle definition. This requires a delicate balance of carbohydrates and proteins in a daily diet. Carbohydrates are essential for energy, which is needed to complete a bodybuilding exercise routine. The best time to eat carbohydrates is early in the morning about an hour before exercise. This will help energize the muscles and burn more fat during the exercise routine.

Low-carb diets are generally used for cutting body fat. This type of eating requires discipline and patience because cutting carbohydrates can cause a person to feel tired and drained. This makes it harder for him to exercise, but it is typically temporary.

A bodybuilder might want to keep a daily food journal.
A bodybuilder might want to keep a daily food journal.

The best tip for low-carb bodybuilding is to keep a daily food journal. Each person has a unique metabolism and burns food at a different rate. This journal helps track the consumptions of daily protein, water, vitamins, and carbohydrates. A daily journal allows the bodybuilder to better track the foods that help him gain muscle, while losing fat.

Many foods designed specifically for body builders contain fast-digesting carbohydrates and processed sugar. This can cause unwanted fat weight gain, which is not the best for a bodybuilder. Low-carb bodybuilding should include healthy snacks that give the bodybuilder energy but contain few carbohydrates. Some good options include nuts and fresh fruits.

Nuts provide a good source of protein, which is central to a bodybuilding diet.
Nuts provide a good source of protein, which is central to a bodybuilding diet.

Protein is an essential part of any bodybuilding diet plan. Protein is found in meats, fish, and beans, but is also available in many canned protein shake drinks. Many of these drinks also contain carbohydrates and should be avoided during a low-carb bodybuilding diet. A bodybuilder should read the label of all the foods he eats to ensure the ingredients meet his desired goals.

Fish is a good source of protein.
Fish is a good source of protein.

Sugar is well known as a fast-absorbing carbohydrate that is not good for low-carb bodybuilding. It is important to track all sugar consumption during low-carb training. That includes all sodas, tea, fruit juice, and coffee. Most processed drinks should be avoided because they typically contain large amounts of sugar.

Cardio exercise is an important part of a bodybuilding routine. A low-carb bodybuilding routine typically includes early morning exercise. Studies have shown that doing exercises in the morning burns more fat than exercise at other times and helps a person have more energy throughout the day.

Bodybuilders need to consume plenty of protein, such as that found in lean meat and dairy products.
Bodybuilders need to consume plenty of protein, such as that found in lean meat and dairy products.

A good bodybuilding diet should be divided into two cycles. These are known as the muscle-building phase and the fat-cutting phase. Low-carb bodybuilding is better suited for the fat-cutting phase because this type of diet helps the body burn fat and limits muscle growth. When the body is deprived of carbohydrates, it automatically uses fat as a source of energy. This is a good way to give the muscles more definition because the body will shed unwanted fats surrounding the muscles.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A bodybuilder might want to keep a daily food journal.
      By: Mircea Netea
      A bodybuilder might want to keep a daily food journal.
    • Nuts provide a good source of protein, which is central to a bodybuilding diet.
      By: Diana Taliun
      Nuts provide a good source of protein, which is central to a bodybuilding diet.
    • Fish is a good source of protein.
      By: karelnoppe
      Fish is a good source of protein.
    • Bodybuilders need to consume plenty of protein, such as that found in lean meat and dairy products.
      By: MSPhotographic
      Bodybuilders need to consume plenty of protein, such as that found in lean meat and dairy products.
    • Bodybuilders should steer clear of foods that contain too much sugar and too many carbohydrates.
      By: librakv
      Bodybuilders should steer clear of foods that contain too much sugar and too many carbohydrates.