3122: Carbs and Athletes: Friend or Foe? by Nancy Clark on How to Maximize Training Results

Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition

Optimal Living Daily LLC

Nutrition, Fitness, Health & Fitness

4.5 • 677 Ratings

🗓️ 17 September 2025

⏱️ 10 minutes

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Summary

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3122: Carbohydrates are often wrongly demonized in athletic circles, but Nancy Clark highlights how they are the body’s most efficient source of fuel for performance and recovery. She explains the science of carbs, dispels myths around sugar and weight gain, and shares how strategic carb intake can help athletes avoid “dead legs,” sustain energy, and maximize training results. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nancyclarkrd.com/2023/04/21/carbs-athletes-friend-or-foe/ Quotes to ponder: “Excess calories of bread, bagels, and pasta are actually less fattening than excess calories of cheese, butter, and olive oil.” “All carbs, both sugars and starches, are excellent sources of fuel.” “For athletic people who routinely train hard 4 to 6 days a week, carbs should be the foundation of each meal.” Episode references: International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement on Sports Nutrition: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/7/439 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is Optimal Health Daily. Carbs and Athletes, Friend or Foe, by Nancy Clark of nancy
0:07.6	ClarkRD.com. And I'm Dr. Neal, your host and narrator. Hey there, welcome back to Optimal Health
0:14.0	Daily, where I simply read to you from the best health and fitness blogs for free, and always with
0:19.4	permission from the sites, and always with a bit of
0:21.9	my commentary at the end.
0:23.7	Now, on Wednesdays, I like to share a little bit of inspiration with you.
0:27.6	So with that, here we go.
0:29.6	Quote, Who's the only person you should be outperforming?
0:34.4	Last week's version of you.
0:36.7	Comparison is a competition where everyone loses.
0:40.6	Peter Economy
0:41.3	Now, today's post is a perfect compliment to what I was ranting about on a recent episode.
0:47.8	Basically, the importance of carbohydrates when it comes to muscle growth.
0:52.0	So, before I spoil today's authors, Nancy's points,
0:55.5	let's get to today's post as we optimize your life.
1:02.7	Carbs and Athletes, Friend or Foe, by Nancy Clark of Nancy ClarkRD.com.
1:10.5	Athletes create many reasons for limiting their intake of seemingly evil carbohydrates,
1:15.8	things like, I don't like sandwiches.
1:18.7	Pasta is so heavy.
1:20.6	I'm staying away from gluten.
1:22.5	I avoid any foods with added sugar.
1:25.3	I prefer to eat two veggies at dinner instead of a veggie and a carby
	...

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