Low-Carb Diets and Cycling

[Dianyla]

My appetite is suppressed and I don't eat big meals, so I'm wondering why I'm having to work really hard to get just a little weight off. (My blood levels are within normal range for thyroid and glucose.)

Define "normal range"? I tested as "normal" for years. It all depends on what exactly is being tested and what reference range they are using to interpret the results.

So I'm a little leery of doing a low carb diet again only because I don't want to become frustrated with poor performance on my long ride.

If you have had good results with low carb in the past, you might want to check out the Paleo Diet for Athletes. I'm still in the middle of reading it, but the gist so far is that you can judiciously use carbs in certain ways before, during, and after exercise. The rest of the time, you do a regular paleo diet consisting of lean meats, vegetables, and fruits (no grains, legumes, dairy, or refined crap).