CARB TIMING - Does it matter?

CARBS ALWAYS PLAY A ROLE, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, IN OUR DIET. BUT DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT TIME OF DAY YOU EAT THEM? HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW.

- SHIREEN FISHER

AS you get accustomed to the low-carb lifestyle, you’ll be able to start experimenting and work out how much carbs you can eat and still lose weight.

Timing your carb intake is another consideration, however.

◗ EARLY DOES IT

If your focus is on burning calories, experts advise eating your carbs in the morning and at lunchtime. That’s when to eat the required daily amount of fruit and vegetables for the day, which will leave you eating minimal carbs in the evening.

Be aware, however, that eating carbs could cause your blood sugar to drop, which can cause fatigue, light-headedness, dizziness and headaches. Low blood sugar also affects sleep patterns, so if you’re experiencing these effects you may need to make your carb portion stretch further into the day instead of finishing it all early.

◗MORNING WORKOUTS

Those hitting the gym for a quick early-morning session often do so on an empty stomach to maximise fat-burning. But if you’re going for a longer workout and you aren’t fat-adapted, you may need a snack. This is a good time to get your carb portion in.