CARBS, CARBS AND MORE CARBS
 
 If youíve heard it once youíve heard it a millions times.......if you're an athlete, you need carbohydrates for optimal performance. Why is it so important to get plenty of carbs? Our muscles use carbohydrate in the form of glucose to make the molecule ATP. ATP is the molecule that allows your muscles to contract. Having enough of this molecule is essential for prolonged exercise as well as for short bursts of intensive exercise. When you ìhit the wallî, your muscles have essentially run very low on glucose and are unable to produce ATP at an adequate rate, resulting in muscular fatigue. You need approximately 55-65% of your calories to come from carbohydrate in order to keep your glucose tank full. Why so much compared to fat and protein? Our bodies have a limited ability to store extra carbohydrates whereas we have relatively ample fat and protein storage ìtanksî. How can you get enough carbohydrate? Pick up the handout Foods Highest in Carbohydratesî and be sure to include plenty of these foods in your sports diet.