NHL'ers - No Carbs?

[Neo5370 132]

So I've watched a few of the NHL off-season training series and I've noticed a lot of guys eat almost no carbs. How can they sustain the energy for these grueling workouts? I thought carbs were the body's preferred energy source.

Granted, I see there's some (quinoa/fruit/sweet potato) in there, but only at 1 or 2 meals a day. Granted I don't know the proportions, but it still seems like it's a lot less than I was taught to believe is required.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G4QMUKPhKg

[swede 48]

unless you do a lot of cardio in your training sessisons carbs are totally unnecessary... less carbs off-season means less calories/Pounds to get rid of when pre-season starts. also, less carbs during off-season is a easy way to maintain in shape.

Then when the season is started, they up the calorie/carbs intake to recover faster and to keep the energy levels high throughout the season, without getting excess bulk..

on pro level, nutritional timing can be the difference between a good or a bad season..

[Quintin 16]

Carb restriction and nutritional timing are merely means of controlling caloric intake. Nothing special about it other than possible ketogenesis (doesn't merit much benefit either way, other than cognition - of which you can still get the benefits via intermittent fasting). Some find it easier, some don't. Plus don't forget NHLers want to have good aesthetics over the summer.
Physiologically, they would've been better with a higher carb intake - better recovery via glycogen replenish, water retention and less risk of gluconeogenesis. Why would you hinder your body to perform and recover from training sessions in the offseason and expect it to perform in the offseason? NHL S&C lols.

[swede 48]

Carb restriction and nutritional timing are merely means of controlling caloric intake. Nothing special about it other than possible ketogenesis (doesn't merit much benefit either way, other than cognition - of which you can still get the benefits via intermittent fasting). Some find it easier, some don't. Plus don't forget NHLers want to have good aesthetics over the summer.

Physiologically, they would've been better with a higher carb intake - better recovery via glycogen replenish, water retention and less risk of gluconeogenesis. Why would you hinder your body to perform and recover from training sessions in the offseason and expect it to perform in the offseason? NHL S&C lols.

for the most, pros don't focus on aerobic training in the off-season.. and therefore they dont need the same amount of carbs to recovery from excercise since anaerobic excecise doesn't burn as many calories as aerobic excecise does... In the pre-season and on-season, they do however need the extra calories from the carbs since playing a hockey game burns much more calories than doing squats or plyometrics in the gym

[gxc999 7]

Carbs really are overrated by most people. Moreover, it is quite arguable that many people, athletes or otherwise, would gain from a higher protein, higher fat diet. The "all fat is bad" myth needs to be put to rest once and for all. Twinkie fat= bad, most natural occurring fats are very good for you.

[A2rhino 62]

This is correct. in general a proper nutrition plan is always best. Just like good and bad fats there are good and bad carbs. A great pregame mix of protein/amino's and carbs are a must for peak performance and recovery. Do yourself a favor and search Vitargo. This product is amazing and used by many pro athletes.

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Carb restriction and nutritional timing are merely means of controlling caloric intake. Nothing special about it other than possible ketogenesis (doesn't merit much benefit either way, other than cognition - of which you can still get the benefits via intermittent fasting). Some find it easier, some don't. Plus don't forget NHLers want to have good aesthetics over the summer.
Physiologically, they would've been better with a higher carb intake - better recovery via glycogen replenish, water retention and less risk of gluconeogenesis. Why would you hinder your body to perform and recover from training sessions in the offseason and expect it to perform in the offseason? NHL S&C lols.

[smcgreg 81]

Carb restriction and nutritional timing are merely means of controlling caloric intake. Nothing special about it other than possible ketogenesis (doesn't merit much benefit either way, other than cognition - of which you can still get the benefits via intermittent fasting). Some find it easier, some don't. Plus don't forget NHLers want to have good aesthetics over the summer.

Physiologically, they would've been better with a higher carb intake - better recovery via glycogen replenish, water retention and less risk of gluconeogenesis. Why would you hinder your body to perform and recover from training sessions in the offseason and expect it to perform in the offseason? NHL S&C lols.

Stop talking so much sense. Somebody might listen to you ;)

[Law Goalie 147]

Yeah, that'll happen -- right around the time someone produces a 'recovery drink' with a proper sodium content.

Neo, part of your confusion is that you're starting from the assumptions that A) those off-season 'reports' are accurately reporting their diets, rather than a staged fantasy of how 'disciplined' they are, and B) that even if they are accurate on diet, that the players are working with the best information available. They're a lot better than they used to be, arguably (although UGlasgow has some interesting data on pre- and post-concussion alcohol consumption!), but they're relatively unfocussed compared to a lot of the high-performance athletes out there.

P.S. Thanks for the buried hint re: ketosis and cognition, Q; lead me to some interesting stuff rather quickly. Been fighting a bit of a caffeine/carb bounce cycle recently.

[smcgreg 81]

for the most, pros don't focus on aerobic training in the off-season.. and therefore they dont need the same amount of carbs to recovery from excercise since anaerobic excecise doesn't burn as many calories as aerobic excecise does... In the pre-season and on-season, they do however need the extra calories from the carbs since playing a hockey game burns much more calories than doing squats or plyometrics in the gym

In point of fact, "aerobic" exercise can be performed quite effectively in the absence of carbs. Of course it sucks (neuroglycopenia makes everything hard), but it's still possible to run or bike for quite some time without using carbs as a substantial fuel source, depending on the intensity. On the other hand, something like a multiple set of squats could deplete much of the glycogen in the fibers that were used and therefore will require carbohydrate to recover more quickly. Similarly, something like a set of 6-8 x 20 sec sprints will almost entirely deplete glycogen stores, and again, require carbohydrates to effectively recover. "Anerobic" exercise may not burn as many calories in total as aerobic exercise (again, depending on intensity and duration), but it will require a much higher proportion of those calories from muscle glycogen, a non-renewable, finite fuel source that will need to be replenished to perform more high quality work within the next day or two. The ATP yield per glucose unit is roughly 10+ fold higher for aerobic exercise vs anaerobic exercise, so, you "burn through" glycogen at an exponentially faster rate given the high power output during anaerobic efforts compared to aerobic.

[Trooper 8]

The diets were very Paleo except for some quinoa (which is kind of an in betweener) and yogurt, which some paleo dieters eat. Lots of good stuff in the video, including showing dynamic warm-ups and discussion of periodical ion in their training.

[Kevin 5]

The listed diets do not include any supplements or pre-workout, during workout, or post workout foods/drinks/supps. Based on the points below, I believe this is when most of these athletes are consuming a good proportion of their carbs, so the listed daily meal plans might be misleading.

1. PK Subban's trainer has a visible blender with solo cups and supplement containers (creatine can be seen).

Subban's trainer says that PK has "carbs around his workout" and "at the right time."

PK says that he also "juices"--which would provide carbs.

2. Tavares is seen drinking some purple sports drink/liquid, which most likely has carbs.

3. Gary Roberts was trained by Charles Poliquin when he was a player. Poliquin is a huge fan of supplements (he now has his own line and online store) and advocates careful timing of carbs (usually post-workout).

[Trooper 8]

Whole food is always better than supplements, that is what is reflected in their diets. They may ingest carbs, that is not the point, but it doesn't make up the bulk of their diet and they are typically ingested at key times, not around the clock. There was no empty calorie pasta and rice on those lists.

Yes, I am sure they supplement, but it is not a substitute for any part of their diet.

[gxc999 7]

I see some very good points here. Proper timing of carbs is also critical.