”ASK COACH G” is a monthly column I write for Diabetes Social Media Advocacy’s website.
Dear Coach G,
I’ve heard that the best times to eat carbohydrates is at breakfast, and before/after you workout…if you’re trying to lose weight. Why?
-Sarah H.
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Hey Sarah!
Okay, so you’ve definitely heard right! This is actually true for anyone, whether or not they have diabetes, but it’s especially helpful for a person with diabetes to understand.
In our bodies, we have “glycogen stores.” In a nutshell, this is where your body stores glucose so your brain and body has backup glucose in-between the meals you eat. Those stores are located first in your liver, and secondly, in your muscles. Most of the glycogen is found in your liver. When you eat carbohydrates, your body converts those carbohydrates to glucose, and then: 1. Uses the glucose immediately for energy. 2. If it doesn’t need it immediately for energy, it will store that glucose in your liver and muscles as glycogen. 3. If those stores are full, it will store that glucose as body fat.
