No matter how much of a bad rep carbohydrates get, one thing is for sure: our bodies can’t survive entirely without this nutrient. Carbs aren’t only essential for providing energy to power your workouts, but also for supporting brain function and maintaining overall health.
If you’re an athlete aiming to optimize performance, or simply someone looking to balance your nutrition, you may want to consider carb cycling.
Carb cycling is a handy nutritional strategy that involves alternating between high and low-carb days. By doing so you can tailor your carb intake to your body’s needs and workout intensity (4).
But the constant switching from high to low-carb days can get a little overwhelming and make it difficult to plan meals.
Having a meal plan takes so much guesswork out of the process, making it easier to stick to your goals.
Here’s what you need to know to make a carb-cycling meal plan like a pro.
Carb cycling can be good for weight loss if you do it right. Why do we say that? Traditional low-carb diets have been well-researched as far as their benefits for weight loss go, and the evidence is clear that they can work.
That said, they can be challenging to stick with long term because they restrict carbohydrates so much that people tend to struggle with low energy levels, cravings, and mood swings.
It is hard to stay away from carbs long enough for this type of diet plan to work. Our keto carb cycling article has more information on this topic.
Furthermore, comparative research doesn’t give convincing evidence that low-carb diets outperform all other diet approaches for weight loss.
Carb cycling is a form of calorie restriction so it definitely can be used for weight loss. And since it’s a bit more flexible as far as the food choices go–since you get to eat carbs–it may be easier for some people to stick with long term.
But (and this is a big but)–carb cycling also has the potential to derail your weight loss efforts if you’re not careful.
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Not everyone finds it easy to cycle endlessly between high and low-carb days, which can lead to overeating on the high-carb days.
That’s why it’s so important to have a solid carb cycling meal plan in place to make sure you’re getting the right amount of carbs for your goals.
We’ve shared a sample before in our blog titled the 12-week carb cycling meal plan, and we’ll also share another one later on in this article.
Weight loss may be top among carb cycling benefits, but it certainly isn’t the only one. Other benefits may include:
Carb cycling can also be a game-changer for athletes. On high-carb days, you’ll have the energy to power through intense workouts, while on low-carb days, you’ll be able to burn fat more efficiently during low-intensity workouts (3).
This can lead to better endurance, strength, and overall athletic performance. Plus, having a structured meal plan can help you make sure you’re getting enough carbs for optimal performance without going overboard.
Eating enough carbs is crucial for muscle growth and recovery. Here’s why; carbs help replenish glycogen stores in your muscles after training.
Glycogen is your body’s storage form of carbohydrates, and it’s what fuels your muscles during exercise. By cycling between high and low-carb days, you’ll be able to optimize muscle glycogen levels for maximum growth (1).
The rules for carb cycling concern the timing, quantity, and quality of your carb intake.
The timing of your high and low-carb days will depend on your goals, body type, and workout schedule. Generally, most people follow a 5-2 approach where they have five days of lower carbs and two days of higher carbs, with the higher carb days being the days they do their more intense workouts.
The quantity of carbs you eat depends on whether it’s a high or low-carb day. Typically, on high-carb days, you’d aim for 1-2 grams of carbs per pound of body weight, while on low-carb days, you may go as low as 0.5 grams.
The percentages may change based on your goals and preferences, but one general recommendation is: at least 20% of your calories should come from carbs on low-carb days, and around 50% on high-carb days.
The quality of your carbs is just as important as the quantity. On both days, your best bet is to focus on whole, less processed sources of carbs like fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
Limit ultra-processed and high added sugar foods that aren’t very nutritious and can contribute to weight gain.
On high-carb days, you can get away with a pre-workout snack that’s higher in quick-digesting carbs for an extra boost of energy.
On low-carb days, it’s best to stick with slow-digesting complex carbs that provide sustained energy throughout the day.
Read more: Carb Cycling for Women: The Ultimate Guide
On a high-carb day, your macro breakdown may look like this:
On a low-carb day, your macro breakdown may look like this:
These are just general examples and may change, depending on your specific goals and preferences. It’s always best to consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist for personalized advice when creating a carb cycling meal plan.
Our guide on 21-day carb cycling is a great one for further reading on this topic.
Making a carb cycling plan can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple.
First, determine your goals and how many high and low-carb days you want to have each week. Then, calculate your daily calorie needs based on your activity level and adjust the breakdown of carbs, protein, and fat accordingly.
Next, make a list of healthy sources for each macronutrient category and plan out your meals and snacks for each day.
For example, if you’re making a 7-day carb cycling meal you could choose 3 different carb sources, then pair them with protein and fat sources for variety so you don’t get bored.
Then, consider incorporating some meal prep to make it easier to stick with the plan throughout the week. You don’t have to prepare a whole month’s worth of food, it might go bad or you’ll get tired of eating the same thing over and over again.
Even when preparing a 12-week carb cycling meal plan, one week’s worth of meal prep is a good place to start, but find what works best for you.
Here’s a sample 7-day carb cycling meal plan to give you an idea of how it could look:
Monday (high carb day):
Tuesday (low carb day):
Wednesday (low carb day):
Thursday (high carb day):
Friday (low carb day):
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Saturday (high carb day):
Sunday (low carb day):
Read more: 21 Day Carb Cycling: Boost Your Fat Loss With This Weekly Meal Plan
A carb cycling meal plan can make the difference between seeing progress and hitting a plateau in your fitness journey. It allows for flexibility while still providing structure. The end goal of a carb cycling diet is to find balance and create sustainable healthy eating habits that support your fitness goals.
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