In the gym where you would do your oblique exercises, people often refer to carbohydrates as “carbs.” You’ll also hear the expression “carbo loading.” Lately, carbohydrates have been receiving some negative press. What are they? Among athletes, carbohydrates are considered the most important nutrient. In the body, carbohydrates from foods are converted into blood sugar or glucose. Whatever is not burned up immediately, is stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen. When you exercise, your muscles draw on their reserves of glycogen to create energy. When an athlete refers to “hitting the wall” or “bonking” they mean that they have depleted the glycogen reserves in their muscles.

Carbohydrates are either simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are sugars that are quickly converted into energy. Soda pop, juice, or plain sugar are examples of simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are sugars that are found in pasta, bread, grains, and cereals. These need to be broken down first in the digestive system before the sugar is available as energy. The caloric value of carbohydrates is four calories per gram.