26/08/2026
Carbs Aren’t the Enemy 🍞💪
If you train hard and actually care about performance, recovery and feeling good, it’s time we stopped demonising carbohydrates.
When you train, your muscles use glycogen — your body’s stored form of carbohydrate. The harder and more frequently you train, the more you can deplete those stores.
If you’re constantly training with low glycogen, you may notice:
🪫 More fatigue
📉 Poorer training performance
🐌 Slower recovery
😴 Feeling more drained between sessions
And this can become even more noticeable when you’re eating in a calorie deficit.
So what helps replenish glycogen?
Carbohydrates.
Protein is incredibly important for muscle protein synthesis, maintaining muscle mass and keeping you fuller — especially when dieting.
But protein isn't a replacement for carbohydrate when it comes to efficiently replenishing muscle glycogen.
That’s why getting some carbs around your training can be useful, particularly if you’re training hard or have another session coming up soon.
Think:
🍌 Banana
🥣 Oats
🍯 Honey
🍚 Rice
🥔 Potatoes
🍞 Bread
🍓 Fruit
For example, banana + oats + a little honey can make a simple post-workout option.
And no, this doesn't mean you need carbs to survive.
Your body can produce glucose through gluconeogenesis.
But if your goal is to train well, recover well and perform at your best, carbohydrates can be a very useful part of your nutrition strategy.
The key message?
Carbs aren't something you need to fear.
Get your calories right.
Get enough protein.
Eat plenty of nutritious foods.
And use carbohydrates strategically around your training.
Paul Williamson Nutrition 🥦💪
P.S. Yes… tracking your calories still matters. 😂
