Quote:

Sorry, ST, the brain is not a muscle. Muscles can use carbs or fat as fuel, but the brain is a specialized organ that *only* burns glucose

Your right Joe, I must of been in that "brain fog" when I referred to the brain as a muscle and not a specialized organ. However I probably did so, because like muscles need protein to maintain/grow, the brain does best with glucose that is derived from a protein source early in the day. The second link spells out how protein/carbs/amino acids effect the brain differently and why when you eat both are important.

It goes on to explain how some foods contain all
8 essential amino acids ( complete proteins) and some only contain a few( incomplete). You can combine two incomplete ones to make a complete.

Beans and Rice are a classic example.
I'd just go a little further and make it brown instead of white rice.

  (You need to Login or Register

  (You need to Login or Register


Quote:

If you want to perform - mentally and physically - you gotta eat those carbs!

But all carbs are not created equally. There's a reason that after eating Chinese food, your often hungry later even though you've eaten a large portion. White rice is a simple carb. Easily digested, but spikes your blood sugar.

Sugar derived from fruit ( fresh or dried) is different too.

  (You need to Login or Register

On a outdoor trip where weight and space are at a premium, you get far more "mileage" out of taking complex carbs than simple ones. Substitute whole grain pasta for white enriched, brown rice for white. Buckwheat pancakes etc. Whole grain pita/ tortilla rather than white.

I like discussions like this. Getting people to think about what they put in their bodies is a good thing.
I'm no expert and when I'm wrong, I appreciate that others will straighten me out.
Point is we can all learn to make better choices.