Get Your Carbs from Fruits and Veggies.

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of fitness.  Monica and I started doing P90X in 2005, but overlooked nutrition.  We were able to achieve certain goals, but could not bridge the final gap to get the results we really wanted.  Earlier this year I resolved to start another round of P90X and learn about nutrition.  The results have been amazing.  

The P90X Nutrition plan starts with high doses of lean protein, and gradually adds carbohydrates back into the diet.  I am currently on Phase III (Endurance Maximizer).  What I am learning is that all carbs are not created equally.  Yesterday I had the opportunity to ride with Joel Friel (www.trainingbible.com).  Joel was recently featured in an article in Bicycling Magazine, on this very topic.  His theory is that when we get our carbs from starchy foods (pasta, bread, etc.), we teach our bodies to burn sugar.  What we really want to do is to teach our bodies to burn fat.  One way to help that effort is to get your carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables.  Here are a few examples of the carbs available in fruits and vegatables from the Bicycling article.

1/4 cup Rasins – 32g

1/2 cup Brussels Sprouts – 7g

1 cup Peas – 25g

1 cup Strawberries – 11g

1 cup Spinach – 7g

1/2 cup Carrots – 8g

1 Orange – 14g

1 cup Collard Greens – 12g

1 ounce Corn – 7g

1 cup Cantaloupe – 15g

1 cup Squash – 30g

1 Sweet Potato – 44g

1 Artichoke – 13g

1 cup Watermelon – 11g

1 cup Green Pepper – 10g

1 cup Broccoli – 4g

1 Peach – 17g

1 Banana – 30g

In contrast, 1 cup of spaghetti has about 40 carbs, so you can see how easy it is to get your carbs from fruits and vegetables.   In addition, fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that are not found in starchy carbs.  

Here is a short video post explaining this theory a bit more.  Eat your fruits and veggies and pack in the carbs.  It will do you a world of good.