 Some trainers think that the only macronutrient responsible for muscle growth is protein. Protein may be the macronutrient originally responsible for the repair and rebuilding of muscle tissue but it can only realize these tasks when its supporting cast of nutrients is present in the diet.
Carbohydrates are your body's privileged energy source. The body keeps carbohydrates as glycogen in your muscle tissues and in your liver. When it needs energy, your body stimulates glycolysis. Glycolysis is the process of transformation carbohydrates and sugar into energy.
If the body is provided scanty carbohydrates, it can and will transform protein into a carbohydrate energy source. This process is known as gluconeogenisis. It is not a positive for the muscle building process. It is energy intensive and ineffective, wasting the energy and nutrients needed for muscle growth.
Your body can reach its fullest muscle building, only through a balanced diet with sufficient carbohydrate intake.
In order to use carbohydrates effectively in the process of gaining weight, to help you build muscle and not increase your fat gains, it is critical to comprehend the different types of carbohydrates. When you intake carbohydrates and what types you intake will help dictate how they are used by the body.
There are three main types of carbohydrates
1. Sugars (simple carbohydrates)
These carbohydrates supply us with immediate energy. It quickly enters the blood and provides a sharp insulin spike. Simple carbohydrates have a short life in the body. If they are not quickly used for energy they are likely to be stored as fat tissue. The most common examples of simple carbohydrates are fruits, juices and basically anything with sugar.
If you are on the muscle building diet, it is a good idea to limit your intake of the simple carbohydrates. However, there are times when they can be useful. The insulin spike caused by simple carbohydrates can be efficaciously used to carry nutrients to the muscles at the times they most need it. These times include your breakfast meal and pre and post- workout nutrition.
Such products as white flour (white bread), soda pop and candy are almost always bad food choices. These empty, valueless calories should e avoided as much as possible.
2. Starches (complex carbohydrates)
Complex carbohydrates practically contain more sugars than simple carbohydrates but provide a slower release into the blood and so have a longer life in human body. This life is very important. It gives you more time to utilize them as energy before they can start the process of being stored as fat.
3. Dietary Fiber
Fiber is a portion of plant food that cannot be digested by enzymes in the intestinal tract. Because it is not digested, it has no calories. However, it plays an important role in the body: it assists the body in removing waste.
Because high-fiber fruits and vegetables are not calorie dense, they don't play a major role in the weight gain diet. Nevertheless you need fiber in your diet. The high-protein, high-calorie diet can present constipation problems for some.
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