Peter Defty: Optimal Fat Metabolism
Let’s talk about OFM & Strategic Carb Timing.
Are you strategically placing low glycemic load real food carbs into your fueling and training plan?
Do you need carbs as an athlete?
If so, when should you add them into your day, why and when?
How do we individualize our training and fueling program at an athlete?
OFM is about getting your body back to optimal fat metabolism. Use fat and not store fat. Use FAT as your FUEL!
OFM can help you you:
Many non-athlete suggestions for keto is around 50 grams per day- even 50 grams total carbs (vs. NET).
Once you are fat adapted as an athlete- the more training load increases then the carb intake can be increased for performance gains. You could tolerate 100-150 grams of carbs per day- ideally saving for post workout when insulin sensitivity (insulin is highly anabolic), or the evening “re-feed” to top off glycogen stores for your next workout.
The night before your morning workout, as I would do an early run or bike ride at sunrise, the dinner (3 hours before bed time), could include some safe starches.
Cycle in carbs during heavy training blocks if doing higher heart rate (higher percentage of carbs being used for fuel in higher heart rate workouts). Non-starchy vegetables you don’t need to count as a fat adapted athlete. On recovery easy days – then you can keep carbs lower and do more protein/fat with longer fasting window (but not on the week before your cycle for female athletes!).
https://paleoleap.com/eat-your-starches-why-safe-starches-are-healthy/
https://blog.balancedbites.com/paleo-diet-carbs/
I would stop counting calories- instead INTUITIVE fueling and eating to figure out how much you need if you eat slowly, mindfully and combine your macros appropriately to feel full, satisfied and energized.
Part One: OFM, Strategic Carbs and Vespa
What are you able to digest and absorb as an athlete while training?
ME… not much. Less fuel is more for my gut before, during and right after a workout or race.
Do we need carbs as an athlete? Can’t you just be a carnivore as an athlete as we hear on social media and other podcasts?
I can’t eat animal meat before a workout as it will be still digesting. Easy to digest fats and sometimes small amounts of carbs pre workouts can help me – or I make my own low carb protein scones (as below).
Where do you cross over from burning primarily fat to carbohydrates as an athlete? It depends.
How metabolically efficient are you?
Test and not guess!
Peter Defty was In this interview with Mike Mutzel, where he discussed real world fat-adaptation and how everything changes with performance fat adaptation.
Some key points Peter Makes with my friend Mike a few years ago include::
- I stress individuality and how one size does not fit all when it comes to sports nutrition.
- The best level of Ketones probably are sub-clinical for athletes
- Beta-oxidation is actually the principle energy pathway for fat burning
- How fasting glucose can increase and post exercise glucose
- Aerobic fitness increases metabolic flexibility
- How important developing cardiovascular fitness is for fat adapted performance
- How hard core ‘keto’ can create adrenal stress and limit performance
- Stress, EMF & Circadian Rhythm are as big of a factor as carbohydrates
OFM: If you are an athlete that has a hard time regulating energy levels, bonks during races and training, has GI issues or maintaining the reins on your diet ……..then understanding how YOU can tap into your onboard energy stores the way Nature intended is crucial to getting you to the next level.
In Peter’s 15+ years of coaching athletes in fat adaptation, he realized the huge metabolic differences between athletes, especially between men and women. Learn more in my interviews with Peter on THE LOW CARB ATHLETE podcast.
The more muscles we have, the larger storage tank for muscle glycogen fuel. Your back up fuel tank- if you are a fat adapted athlete, replenish glycogen stores without eating lots of carbs. We can replenish the back up fuel tank from fat – or strategically place carbs in post workout window when insulin sensitive or in an evening carb refeed to fuel the next day’s “fasted” workout.
You should meet with a coach, myself or one of the OFM coaches, to get a personalized fueling and training program. I coach my clients with the eight elements of THE WHOLESTIC Method to be fit and healthy from the inside out.
Does an athlete need carbs? If so why, when and how much?
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto/carbohydrates
If you can tolerate safe starchy vegetables – at the right time of day that works to your advantage then check out how your body reacts to these vegetables…but always strive for a four day rotation food plan and save your carbs for your evening meal.
VEGETABLE SOURCES OF PALEO CARBS:
These are highly recommended for post-workout glycogen replacement to your muscles after CrossFit or HIIT style training or longer, endurance-based training.
| Item | CHO g per 100g serving | Fiber g per 100g serving | CHO g per 1cup serving | Portion Size Notes | Other Notable Nutrients |
| cassava | 38 | 2 | 78 | 1c= 206g | Vitamin C, Thiamin, Folate, Potassium, Manganese |
| taro root | 35 | 5 | 46 | 1c= 132g | Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, potassium, manganese |
| plantains | 31 | 2 | 48 | 1c= 154g (slices) | Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium |
| yam | 27 | 4 | 37 | 1c= 136g (cubed) | Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Potassium |
| white potato, peeled | 22 | 1 | 27 | 1c= 122g | Not much very high, some Vitamin C |
| sweet potato | 21 | 3 | 58 | 1c= 328g (mashed) | Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron (non-heme), Vitamin E |
| parsnips | 17 | 4 | 27 | 1c= 178g (sliced) | Vitamin C, Manganese. |
| lotus root | 16 | 3 | 19 | 1c= 120g (sliced) | Vitamin C. |
| acorn squash | 15 | 4 | 31 | 1c= 205g | Vitamin C. |
| onion | 10 | 1 | 21 | 1c= 210g (chopped) | Vitamin C, Potassium. |
| beets | 10 | 2 | 17 | 1c= 170g (sliced) | Folate, Manganese. |
| carrots | 10 | 3 | 13 | 1c= 128g (chopped) | Vitamin A, Vitamin K, |
| butternut squash | 10 | – | 22 | 1c= 205g | Vitamin A, Vitamin C |
| jicama (raw) | 9 | 5 | 12 | 1c= 130g (slices) | Vitamin C. |
| kohlrabi | 7 | 1 | 12 | 1c = 165g | Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Copper, Manganese |
| spaghetti squash | 6 | 1 | 9 | 1c= 155g | Not very many. |
Part Two: Peter Defty on OFM, Vespa and Strategic Carbs
Are you doing a fasted long bike ride, run or hike over three hours? Perhaps you can experiment by eating before your workout as compared to eating during your workout. For example, last weekend
Low-Carb Bacon and Cheese Scones
These Low-carb Bacon and Cheese Scones are gluten-free, ultra-simple to whip up, and made with almond flour, coconut flour, bacon, cheese, and chives.Prep Time10 minutesServings12 peopleCalories366kcalIngredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg white
- 1/4 cup whipping cream or you can use almond milk (I used combo Heavy Cream/Almond Milk)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese save 2 tablespoons for topping (I used GOAT Cheese)
- ½ cup cooked bacon save 1 tbsp for topping
- 3 tablespoons chives chopped (save ½ tsp for topping)
- Bonus Debbie Ingredients:
- EQUIP Beef Protein unsweetened (use our code LOWCARBATHLETE to save!)
- Laird or OM Mushroom 10 superfoods
Instructions
Remember… that OFM is not keto or paleo but it is an individualized fueling and training program for Athletes.
Ask me any questions here!
The WHOLESTIC Method Coach,
Debbie Potts