Joe Friel's Advice

[itself]

I really like the advice on his website. Makes sense. And falls into what a lot of what you all do during your long training rides.

http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/05/questions-on-workout-nutrition.html

[PamNY]

Is this written with the assumption that fat-burning is better? If yes, does that mean better for performance, or just so you don't gain weight?

I'm not arguing, btw, just trying to understand.

[KnottedYet]

Using fat for fuel is generally a more stable source, steady fuel for aerobic metabolism. Dumping glycogen/glucose (depleting the stores in the liver) is more like a sudden burst source for anaerobic metabolism.

I can go for a long steady ride burning fat as the strategy for most efficient steady power production, but I can dump glucose from the liver for a sudden (and somewhat inefficient in the long run) burst of power to sprint away from a charging bull that escaped onto the roadway.

The body can completely switch to ketone metabolism for fuel during famine, as well. It's very funky, the variety of ways the body has to keep the ol' metabolic fires burning!

Fat is a great fuel, not just a social and medical problem.

[Melalvai]

That's a great article. It validates what I've thought was true for a while, since I've stopped eating sugar: that we really don't need that sugar, not even when we're working out. I mean, cavemen didn't have refined sugar and I'm sure their entire life was a workout. :D Thanks for sharing!

[malkin]

...to sprint away from a charging bull that escaped onto the roadway...
I hate it when that happens.



Very sensible advice in that article. Those of us who are mere mortals should eat food & drink water.

Then later, when working on enlightenment, we can chop wood & carry water. (ok, that's not in the article)