couple questions on fat, and sugars

[silverback]

I remember reading that the bodies favorite fuel is carbs, if it cant use carbs it uses fat and if there is no fat or carbs in the cupboard, it will eat its own muscle. can someone explain the proper way this all breaks down, because I think I messed it up along the lines somewhere. I snack on sunflower seeds all day to keep up my meals and theyre like 6G protein, 10G fat but mostly EF's anyways, as mentioned wondering how a food like reacts to your body. does your body automatically burn the fat because its a great fuel? does it go after the protein since it may not have had any carbs in almost 4 hours? also after my workout I notice alot of people take malto or dextrose, I was wondering if fruit is a possible stimulant to spike the anabolic reaction were looking for, if not what can be used that is natural???

 

[liftsiron]

For short bursts of energy like a sprint or a weightlifting set, carbs are the preferred fuel, for longer duration activities like a 10 mile hike or long mountain bike ride, fats are the major fuel. In extreme low carb conditions for prolonged periods the body will break down lean muscle tissue to glycogen (muscle sugar) because the brain and CNS can only use sugar as fuel except in starvation ketones can be used, but that leaves one feeling like crap. Sunflower seeds, peanuts, etc. are high fat food and more often than not serve only to increase bodyfat and do not increase energy levels.
Fruit is ok after the workout but doesn't have as strong effect on insulin as say a bowl of fruity peebles or luck charms.

 

[Thate]

If you eat enough protein, your body has the ability to convert that to glucose if necessary.

 

[Scotsmark]

Get reading books by Dr Michael Colgan, he's a PhD in sports nutrition and is the funder of the Colgan Institute in San Diego. This guy's been researching for over 30 years and tells it like it is.

 

[colossus]

For short bursts of energy like a sprint or a weightlifting set, carbs are the preferred fuel, for longer duration activities like a 10 mile hike or long mountain bike ride, fats are the major fuel. In extreme low carb conditions for prolonged periods the body will break down lean muscle tissue to glycogen (muscle sugar) because the brain and CNS can only use sugar as fuel except in starvation ketones can be used, but that leaves one feeling like crap. Sunflower seeds, peanuts, etc. are high fat food and more often than not serve only to increase bodyfat and do not increase energy levels.
Fruit is ok after the workout but doesn't have as strong effect on insulin as say a bowl of fruity peebles or luck charms.

OR a pop tart, right lifts!? :headbang:

 

[liftsiron]

OR a pop tart, right lifts!? :headbang:

Pop tarts are great p/o.

 

[liftsiron]

Get reading books by Dr Michael Colgan, he's a PhD in sports nutrition and is the funder of the Colgan Institute in San Diego. This guy's been researching for over 30 years and tells it like it is.

"Optimum Sports Nutrition" by Michael Colgan is one of my favorite reference books. Also Wil Brink has written some good stuff.