Think back to a time you felt sluggish on the court and your energy was super low. Most likely that moment was caused by a lack of fuel, primarily carbohydrate fuel.
Now, I know the word on the street may be that carbs are the enemy to your metabolism, but I have some breaking news for you…. Carbohydrates are your friend and will help maximize your energy each match!
Just think about it, how can grilled asparagus, fresh blueberries, crisp roasted red potatoes, a warm bowl of oatmeal or a dish of zesty brown rice and quinoa not be good for your body??
The truth is this: Carbohydrates Are Your Body’s Main Source of Fuel
All carbohydrates (with the exception of fiber) are broken down through your digestion into glucose. Glucose is the fuel for your central nervous system (CNS). Your CNS is your command center, and along with your brain it manages every breath, heartbeat, movement, and thought you have. So think of carbohydrates as your “brain fuel.”
“Brain Fuel” Can Be Classified into Two Categories, Simple and Complex.
Simple carbohydrates are named as such because your digestive system can quickly metabolize them into glucose for use as energy. Think of a time when you ate a piece of fruit or drank some juice and then within minutes felt a rush of energy. This energy rush was caused by your body quickly metabolizing the fruit or juice into glucose, making it readily available.
Complex carbohydrates are called “complex” because they take longer to break down (metabolize) into glucose. There are two types of complex carbohydrates: starches and fiber. Starches are your heavier, denser carbohydrates, like quinoa, rice, potatoes, and beans. Fiber is the non-digestible portion of the carbohydrate and cannot be used for energy.
