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General Fitness & Nutrition: Beer=Carb?

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    • CommentAuthorFree Memberbrendanf15
    • CommentTimeJul 23rd 2009
     
    brendanf15

    Is beer effective for carb loading? I've noticed that I've had some really morning runs after a night of moderate beer drinking.

    Also, I know beer are mostly empty calories, but if I reduce my "food calorie" intake accordingly, will I be hurting my fitness goals? (I.E. will my muscles not develop properly if a certain percentage of my required caloric intake comes from alcohol consumption?)

  2.  
    fortuune345

    Beer is not really an ideal choice for carbohydrate loading. One important reason why is that alcohol actually reduces on hand blood sugar by increasing insulin production, even though the beer itself contains carbohydrates. It much more ideal to get your carbs from a source that does not have this negative effect. Alcohol in excess also dehydrates the body quite a lot. One of the positive effects for alcohol (which may explain your particular experience with your morning runs after drinking) is that it increases the body's testostrone production. For that reason it is not that uncommon for ellite endurance atheletes to consume a very small amount of alcohol the night before a big race. Although because of the other negative consequences that come with it, most stay away from it during training and competition.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdthielen2
    • CommentTimeJul 24th 2009
     
    dthielen2

    I've noticed a drastic reduction in racing ability after consuming a couple of beers.  I try to avoid, but on the weekends, it is difficult.

    Another racer I talked with, same thing, he drinks lots of water after drinking a beer.

    Good luck... 

     

  4.  
    jeffwright1

    Ran a marathon the day after,the night after, (Big night Friday, Run Sunday)drinking lots of beer and performed really well. Have also run short distances on the day after drinking  beer (but not as much) without too much negative reaction.

    My biggest problem seems more in the associated effects. If you stay up and drink beer, you don't get enough sleep and if you need to get up for a wee several times during the night again you don't get enough rest. Starting tired is the pits.

    My solution is to take the opposite tack. After a good run, a quick water for the dehydration and then several beers because I've earned them. It even works as a motivational tool. When the going gets tough there a beer at the end of it.

    • CommentAuthorChampionship Membershipmkass
    • CommentTimeJul 24th 2009
     
    mkass

    I like Jeff's approach--beer as a recovery aid. :)

     Back in the day, beer feeds in bike races near the end were not uncommon.  A few calories, takes the edge off, etc.

  6.  
    Hugh-slow-at-37
    I can remember going for a week's skiing ... usually this was knackering ... up at 7 to get breakfast ... skiing all day 9-5 ... and going home for an hours sleep ... then out into town for apres ski until the early hours of morning for 4-5 hours sleep ... I can remember successfully doing that for a week, and consuming a lot of beer and having more energy than the years I didn't drink heavy and got to bed earlier ...
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdwmyer
    • CommentTimeJul 25th 2009
     
    dwmyer
    I love beer but it just does not help with my training.  I'm an early morning runner and it's hard enough to get up and get going without having to fight the affects of a couple of pops the night before.  I do use it as a motivational tool like Jeff said.  Best thing about Saturdays are my long run in the morning and then getting to drink beer in the afternoon and evening and looking forward to sleeping late on Sunday. 

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