Carbs and the Endurance Athlete

It is funny to me that something as innocent as carbohydrates have gotten so much heat in the media in the past number of years.

Really, when you think about it – fat was the target only a few short years ago and it will probably be protein in 2020.

As an athlete, it is important for me to optimize my diet and as a curious person, I have dabbled in the dietary spectrum from paleo to vegetarianism. Here is what I have come to find: what works for other people is not going to work for me and vice versa. Food is a very intimate and complex thing for people which is both interesting and despairing for me in some cases.

Regardless, I have seen a number of naturopaths over the years that have told me to eat more carbs, dial back on the carbs or don’t-touch-carbs-they-are-the-devil. I was sharing this frustration with one of my friends who is a naturopath and he sent me the most incredible article that helped form my perspective on not just why carbohydrates are important, but provided a, what I would consider, unbiased discussion of the role of carbohydrates in an athlete’s diet. Check it out here. 

Not long after I had started incorporating more carbohydrates into my diet as my training increased, I stumbled across a fantastic product by Pita Break called One Bun.

What makes it awesome?  Zero added sugar, Low sodium, and Low fat. The end.

The real question is…does the taste stack up the claim?

YES! I  noticed absolutely no difference in taste when compared to other pita bread. You do not miss the sodium, fat or sugar in the slightest.

I have been eating these buns as sandwiches or as pieces of toast. I find one side is the perfect size if you want to have a quick, pre-workout snack and they make a delicious sandwich.

There are two flavours to chose from: sprouted and rye. My personal favourite was the rye, but that had more to do with the fact that they were larger in size than the rye.

OneBun ZLL products are free of artificial preservatives, cholesterol, and saturated and trans fats. The thin pita offers a nice change from traditional burger buns and is a great go-to snack.

Other great sources of carbohydrates for endurance athletes include bananas (one of my favourites!), berries, protein bars, brown rice, sports drinks, quinoa and oatmeal.

What is your take on the role of carbohydrates in the diet? 

Sprouted or rye?