1. What is Carb Cycling?

Carb cycling is a dietary approach that alternates carbohydrate intake between high and low days. This method can help with fat loss while maintaining muscle mass and workout performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the carb cycling formula:

Where:

• \( factor \) — 2-3 for high carb days, 0.5-1.5 for low carb days
• \( body\_weight(lb) \) — Your current body weight in pounds

Explanation: The equation provides personalized carbohydrate recommendations based on your weight and whether it's a high or low carb day.

3. Benefits of Carb Cycling

Details: Carb cycling can help optimize fat loss, improve insulin sensitivity, maintain workout performance, and prevent metabolic adaptation during dieting.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your current weight in pounds, select whether it's a high or low carb day, and optionally specify a custom factor. The calculator will recommend your daily carbohydrate intake.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How often should I have high carb days?
A: Typically 2-3 high carb days per week, often aligned with your most intense workout days.

Q2: What about protein and fat intake?
A: Protein should remain consistent (0.8-1g per lb of body weight). Fat intake typically increases on low carb days.

Q3: Is carb cycling good for beginners?
A: Beginners may do better with consistent macros initially, but carb cycling can be beneficial for those with some dieting experience.

Q4: How should I adjust for weight loss plateaus?
A: You can slightly reduce the factors (e.g., 1.5-2.5 for high days, 0.3-1 for low days) or add more low carb days.

Q5: Can I use kilograms instead of pounds?
A: The calculator uses pounds, but you can convert kg to lb by multiplying by 2.205.