pasta and carbohydrates

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Are the carbohydrates in pasta readily available for the body to use as energy for cycling or other activities or do they ned to be digested and altered by the bodies processes first? I am asking because if they are readily available, I will in future food-process my meals to get them into my blood quicker. Baby food my mum calls it lol

Jonathan

I don't understand why you should care if it's readily available....and it makes no sense to eat pocessed food or 'baby food'. Consumed complex carbs are stored in the muscles as glycogen. This is the vital fuel and energy system that your body will call upon during those intense hours in the saddle. Once the stores are depleted..then the body will resort to a more immediately available source of energy called glucose..which can be delivered very quickly to the energy systems via a sports drink, power bar, or perhaps a gel of some kind. It's important to reload the glycogen stores after periods of exertion so that they will be prepared for your next adventure on the bike. It's best to reload soon after your training sessions by consuming a good meal containing quality complex carbohydrates. It's a simple process........fill the glycogen stores, exercise and deplete them, then reload them for next time. When glycogen stores reach critically low levels 'during' an event..just have your 'back up fuel' on stand by in the form of sports drink or gel..which should go a long way to fight off the bonk and get you to the finish. I think you should rethink your approach and strategy. It's really as simply as sitting down at the dinner table a few times a day and making sure that there is some balance of foods that include the vital complex carbs. You can do this almost without thinking about it.



Originally posted by visual_infinity
Are the carbohydrates in pasta readily available for the body to use as energy for cycling or other activities or do they ned to be digested and altered by the bodies processes first? I am asking because if they are readily available, I will in future food-process my meals to get them into my blood quicker. Baby food my mum calls it lol

Jonathan