Why a Low-Carb Diet will kill your Stoke

Action sports such as surfing, snowboard, skateboarding, skiing and BMX are physically demanding sport that requires a crap load of energy, strength, and endurance. For example; research has shown that an hour of surfing can burn around an additional 500 Calories with measured heart rates over 90% max 🥵

Due to this, it's crucial that we fuel our bodies with not only 'enough' energy, but also the right type!  A low-carbohydrate diet, while popular for weight loss and improved athletic performance in some sports, is not going to be a friend to any action sport enthusiast.

Here are a few reasons why we should avoid following a low-carbohydrate diet:

1. Carbs are king: Basic physiology tells us that carbs are the primary source of energy for the body during intense physical activity. Research (and common sense) tells us that most action sports comprise of bouts of 'high-intensity' exercise. Therefore, carbs are your most important energy source! 

2. Reduced Energy Levels: By reducing the intake of carbohydrates, we may experience an overall decrease in energy levels, which can negatively impact their performance in the water, on the slopes or in the park.

3. Poor Recovery: Carbs are essential for muscle recovery after intense physical activity. By reducing carbohydrate intake, we may take longer to recover from their sessions, which can increase the risk of injury and impair performance in the future.

4. Decreased Mental Focus: Carbohydrates are important for maintaining stable blood sugar levels and providing the brain with the energy it needs to function at its best. A low-carbohydrate diet can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels and decreased mental focus, which can be detrimental to our performance.

Keto, low carb, or carnivore diets are in trend right now, and sure, the body can “learn” to perform reasonably well with fats. But all because you can eat a low carb diet, doesn’t mean you should.

It doesn’t mean a low carb diet is “better”… In fact its not. Putting health aside, when the intensity gets up there, there is no replacement for carbohydrates. This isn’t a personal experience derived opinion driven by some guru influencer, this is damn exercise metabolism 🔬

So when you’re battling the sweep or wanting to maximise your time on the slopes before the chairlift closes... you better have a tone of carbohydrates on board ready for the body to use 🤙

In conclusion, we should aim to have a well-balanced diet that provides enough carbohydrates to fuel our bodies and support our performance. While low-carbohydrate diets may work for some athletes, they are definitely not the best choice for action sport enthusiasts who want to perform at their best.