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I'm planning to start my first carb up this weekend and wanted some suggestions on what would be good to eat. I've got some whole grain rice and plan to pick up some fruit that I've been missing. I guess I'll also be eating more chicken breasts to help keep the fat down. I haven't really eaten many carbs in so long, I'm at a loss for what is good to eat. The wife wants to get mexican food tonight so that should work out. What tips do you have?

If it was me, I'd go for an appetizer of tortilla soup w/o the tortilla strips, veggie or shrimp/veggie fajitas served over black beans and rice topped with salsa, pickled jalapeno and a squirt of lime juice, and because I would be unable to restrain myself, a little queso over the top. Might want to spirit in some fat-free tortillas, cheese and/or sour cream to keep the fat low.

I would also enjoy some fat-free frozen yogurt on the way home for dessert!

I'm a big fan of oatmeal with pureed pumpkin and a few raisins for breakfast on my carb up days, and I also have frozen individual portions of fat free refried beans & rice when I made a batch during a carb up a few weeks ago. Now I just pop one in the fridge the day before my carb up and I'm ready to rock come lunchtime the next day. I also have made pizza on a low-cal pita bread with mushrooms, onions, peppers, fat-free cheese and reduced-fat pepperoni. I think I could go for some pasta primavera-marinara next time. I'd best do a homemade one so that I know what's in it and can control the fat content. Maybe I'll get a single portion of plain pasta from somewhere and order my DH whatever he wants, then take it home and rinse the pasta to get the oil/butter off before topping it with my own sauce/veggies.

Good stuff, Maynard!

Healthy Choice makes a great low fat pizza and Bryers has a no fat ice cream. There great cause you get to think your carbs are dirty, but there not. I also like to make a low fat key lime pie with a low fat crust, lime juice, low fat sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding, and low fat cool whip. I am also a huge fan of cheddar chex mix, pancakes, cereal with skim milk, and sour gummy worms. Thats mostly what comes to mind.

harryt43 wrote:Healthy Choice makes a great low fat pizza and Bryers has a no fat ice cream. There great cause you get to think your carbs are dirty, but there not. I also like to make a low fat key lime pie with a low fat crust, lime juice, low fat sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding, and low fat cool whip. I am also a huge fan of cheddar chex mix, pancakes, cereal with skim milk, and sour gummy worms. Thats mostly what comes to mind.

My second carb-up, I ate two 10" pancakes, loaded with syrup. I'm a huge key-lime pie fan. Home made is essential.

Eat what you want, after a while you're going to stop craving those types and foods. When that happens, you're going to want to start cleaning things up. Banana's, brown rice and oatmeal. However, still get that cheat meal in of anything you want.

AntonioWright wrote:Eat what you want, after a while you're going to stop craving those types and foods. When that happens, you're going to want to start cleaning things up. Banana's, brown rice and oatmeal. However, still get that cheat meal in of anything you want.

Agreed. My first one I went crazy downing pancakes, coco puffs, captain crunch, cookies, etc etc....now, well now I dont even want to carb up at all.

I think my first carb up went ok. I didn't really have any cravings. We didn't end up having Mexican Friday night after all. We went to Outback and I ended up getting Tilapia and vegetables because nothing else sounded good. We had their Aussie fries as an appetizer (it seems that I don't have much of a taste for french fries anymore).

So, Saturday I had 41% fat, 44% carbs and 15% protein. How does that range sound for a carb up? I hoped to keep the fats lower but it was hard. I gained 4 lbs, which I assume is water weight.

Sunday I was back on the MANS plan with no problem. One interesting thing is that since Sunday I've felt really pumped. It's like the same feeling I had while loading creatine. My muscles feel really full. Is this a by-product of the carb up or is it all in my head?

vrsandersjr wrote:Sunday I was back on the MANS plan with no problem. One interesting thing is that since Sunday I've felt really pumped. It's like the same feeling I had while loading creatine. My muscles feel really full. Is this a by-product of the carb up or is it all in my head?

You got it man, the by-product of carb-ups causes your muscles to bloat up. It's due to the fact that glycogen binds with water when stored in the muscle. So, as your glycogen stores get reduced your muscles can look smaller or flabby... boom, carb up and you feel like a beast.

I read that pro bodybuilders (after weeks/months of cutting and thinning) actually carb-up before a contest to get some of that bloating for the show. I have a picture of Franco Columbu eating a huge piece of pizza before a contest.

And, a gallon of water weights 8 pounds (approximately), so to gain 4 pounds on a carb up should be no surprise.

Have fun!

I read that pro bodybuilders (after weeks/months of cutting and thinning) actually carb-up before a contest to get some of that bloating for the show. I have a picture of Franco Columbu eating a huge piece of pizza before a contest.

It is true. Chocolate,pizza or anything (high carb/fat). Some eat the milk chocolate during the pump phase of the contest.It also helps the skin to look hydrated.

vrsandersjr wrote:So, Saturday I had 41% fat, 44% carbs and 15% protein. How does that range sound for a carb up? I hoped to keep the fats lower but it was hard. I gained 4 lbs, which I assume is water weight.

Some will be water, some will be the glycogen going into your muscles. Glycogen needs water to get into the muscles, and it carries it in on a 1:3 ratio. So that means a pound of glycogen and three pounds of water.

Just think of all the weight you'll be able to lift with 454 grams of glycogen in your muscles this week!!!

P.S. Outback is our go-to place to eat when my friends are trying to be considerate of my low-carb diet. I hate it because I also have to watch my calories, and they just don't have a good way to do both there. I'd rather have some take out burgers or barbecue or eat something at home even. Jeez. You know, I don't remember the last time I had french fries. I think it was well over a year ago. I was SO addicted to curly fries and tater tots I probably didn't go one day without them for years. The smell still gets me, so I don't think I'll ever go there again. It's not worth it.