Today is an exciting day because I get to tell you about something that I’ve been keeping under wraps for quite a while.
Back in April, I had the chance to spend some time and talk nutrition with Mike Roussell. He also gave me a copy of his book Naked Nutrition. Let me tell you, no one should be that young and be that intelligent.
Naked Nutrition strips away all the fluff in regards to creating a healthy AND effective fat loss or muscle gaining nutrition program. Mike’s taken a very confusing topic like proper nutrition and created an easy-to-follow guide that everyone can use regardless of your caloric needs or type of diet you prefer.
Since low-carb dieting is once again the rage, I did a mini-Q & A with Mike.
Bill: When fat loss is the goal, it seems that many are now fearful of
eating carbs. How will carbs fit effectively into a fat loss training
program?
Mike Roussell: There are really two approaches you can take with carbohydrates regarding fat loss; one is more extreme than the other. Let’s look at the more extreme option first. With this option you completely remove all starchy carbohydrates with the exception of your workout nutrition (keep the carbohydrates there at all costs). This approach is easy because it requires little thinking – the only carbohydrates you eat are fruits and vegetables.
But for some people that can be a radical change to their nutritional plan and thus is not initially recommended. Instead limit your starchy carbohydrate consumption to breakfast (commonly oatmeal) and in the first 1-2 meals following your workout. When I mention starchy carbohydrates, I’m talking about whole grain carbs not candy bars and cookies. If you are losing fat with carbs at these times then why cut them out? I find that very often what you said is true. People are “fearful of eating carbs” and thus automatically adopt the mantra “carbs make me fat” and cut them out of their diet without really knowing how their body responds to starchy higher glycemic index carbohydrates.
Continuing with the scenario…If fat loss is stalling then you can remove your morning starches and/or the starches following your workouts so that you are moving towards more of a zero starch diet (like I described previously).
The key message here is don’t jump to carb conclusions without testing it on your body first. If you can eat oatmeal in the morning and still lose fat wouldn’t you want to do that? The research shows that well timed starchy (and sometimes sugary) carbohydrates won’t hinder fat loss and can actually be of extreme benefit. It is also important to note that in either diet scenario I outline neither one was a low carbohydrate diet. They were low starch diets. It is like Alwyn Cosgrove says “I don’t recommend very low carbohydrate diet because I would never tell someone they can’t eat vegetables.”
Naked Nutrition is now available!
Bill