Carb Cycling
Carb cycling is a term usually reserved for physique athletes, but in recent years it has become more common in the general fitness community as a weight-loss tool.
The idea behind it is that you strategically alter your carbohydrate intake so that you have several days (or even 1-2 weeks) of low carbohydrate intake (calories mostly come from proteins, fats, and non-starchy vegetables) and then 1-2 days of higher carbohydrate intake.
The science behind this is that your body will preferentially use fat for energy on the lower carbohydrate days, thus aiding in body-fat loss. Having periodic days higher in carbohydrates (known as “re-feed” days) makes sticking to the low-carb days easier and also spares muscle protein from being degraded by the liver for gluconeogenesis (the process of creating glucose molecules to meet blood sugar needs).
However, carb cycling is not recommended as a long-term lifestyle and is best used for short periods of time (~1-4 months).
The exact nutrition prescription will vary based on individual goals, health status, and energy requirements. If you are interested in having a carb cycling menu created for you, e-mail me and we can discuss how I can create the best plan specifically for you!