Should women ever incorporate High GI foods in their diet regimen?

[JJFigure]

We've all been inundated with articles on how eating high GI food sources immediately following workout during the "growth window" will cause an insulin boost that causes our bodies to make more testosterone, hence muscle growth. And CKD diets such as Body Opus rely heavily on high GI foods (dextrose) during the initial carb load period. I read these articles and books and assume the same theories apply to women, but do they? Is it every advantageous for a woman to incorporate high GI foods in their diet regimen? Or should we just take the honey out of the cupboard and toss it into the garbage can?

 

[wilson6]

I suppose it all depends on how much psychological torture you want to put yourself through. If you desire constant torture, then yes eat only vegetables. If not, then have that chocolate cake and ice cream once a week, maybe a little pie filling or cookie dough inbetween to satisfy your cravings before heavy workouts.

JJ, this isn't directed toward you or anyone else per se so no one get their ovaries in a knot, but one thing that never ceases to amaze me is how anal so many of you are on this board with regard to "physiologically trival" issues that in the long run are meaningless except that they drive you crazy, waste mental energy and time, and are even counterproductive with regard to progress.

This is just one example, others include nutritional supplements, ancillary drugs that have little effect, etc.

Eat the f**king high GI food once in a while before heavy workouts, enjoy the food and the stored glycogen.

The recent studies I've seen suggest that women supercompensate muscle glycogen just as the guys do. While there may be differences between substrate utilization and menstrual phase, this effect is washed out when CHO is consumed and I'm talking pure glucose, maltodextrin, sucrose, etc.

The growth window has far more to do with protein, in particular essential aminos than anything else. Even in the presence of insulin and anavar, you have to have the essentials circulating or net positive protein synthesis is reduced.

Personally I think the effects of the chronic stress many of you put yourselves through by worrying about adding one gram of fat to you body probably causes more catabolism and an increase in bodyfat via increased cortisol and catacholamines, etc. than eating occassional high GI foods ever will. Think about. How much do all of you stress about physiologically trival shit and how do you think this affects you?

Food for thought and on that note I'm going to have another piece of Ms Wilson's lasagna and some bread sticks.

W6

 

[MS]

LOL W6. Smart man. I eat high GI foods 1 meal each week. It's usually pasta followed by fat free dairy free ice cream with choc sauce. The rest of my meals are low GI (though still high carb). It has nothing to do with training....it's just a treat that makes me feel good! No harm done. It's the chronic intake of refined junk food that causes problems over time. We are almost certainly designed to splurge regularly.

 

[JJFigure]

I didn't ask the question because I was stressed out over eating high GI foods. I've been home sick for almost a week and I'm bored to death, so I've been coming up with different topics to research, more out of curiousity than anything. That said, I totally agree everyone should eat something "fun" on occasion for the psychological benefits.

Now, back to my real question - can women strategically take advantage of high GI foods to boost their testosterone levels and experience more growth? Is it beneficial for women to use high GI foods during a carb load on a cyclical low carb diet? Is there really research out there that focuses on women and optimal post workout nutrition? I have yet to see any.

I always eat/drink protein post workout - never really fell for that high gi postworkout theory, but am I wrong in ignoring it?

 

[slinky]

JJ:

I wouldn't ignore that theory. It's worked for me (drinking a high GI carb drink post training session). Either it's Biotest's Surge or our own mix of dextrose/maltodextrin w/protein powder. If I feel particularly low in energy during the session, I'll even sip some during.

As for high GI foods boosting Testosterone levels? I think of it this way: low carb diets would hinder your body's ability to replace spent muscle glycogen - thus meaning you'd need more time for recovery after your last session. Soooo, something like a high GI carb drink would aid in recovery. You can maintain your hard training sessions, gain that valuable LBM, keep your metabolism running, etc.

Wilson6 is right in saying that too many people are way too concerned/stressed over eating "too many" carbs. I just think it's important to find that "middle ground" with our diets. I'll have beers during the weekend, but I don't stress over it. Oh no way. I even eat a cookie a day or every other day. Since 90% of my diet is sound - a wee 10% of "enjoyment" ain't gonna kill me.

 

[wilson6]

Do you have influenza (the respiratory type) JJ?

W6

 

[JJFigure]

I have a sinus infection that just won't go away. Sinus headache, coughing, the works. I stopped working out, stayed in bed, drank lots of liquids, bumped my zinc and vitamin c, .... still have it. :-(

 

[wilson6]

"I have a sinus infection that just won't go away."

See your doc and get on a course of antibiotics.

W6