Repeat after me: carbs are not the enemy. Despite the weight-loss lure of low-carb diets (and the recent news of Lebron James leaning out on fewer sweets and sourdough), your body needs these nutrients to fuel your grueling workouts. Of course, too much of anything can leave you feeling bloated, lethargic or – at the very least – hung over with guilt.
That’s why it’s imperative that athletes choose natural, wholesome sources of carbohydrates that will convert to glycogen and efficiently be used by your body for energy. No matter how long and hard you train, there’s no free pass for cake, donuts, cookies or candy bars — except for maybe birthdays, weddings, baby showers and holiday parties. Okay, so there’s some wiggle room. In every other instance, though, load your plate with 40-70% carbohydrates (depends on your fitness level and training needs) from these 6 nutrient-dense, completely delicious foods.