Carbohydrates

Shop Carbohydrates at Myprotein

Carbohydrates are your body's preferred fuel source, especially during intense training sessions. Whether you're looking to power through a gruelling workout, maximise your muscle recovery, or simply add quality calories to your diet, the right carb supplement can make all the difference.

From fast-digesting maltodextrin to slow-release oats, our carbohydrate range offers options for every training goal and dietary preference. Choose from convenient powders, ready-to-eat bars, or energy gels designed to deliver fuel exactly when you need it.

Who Carbohydrates Are For

Carb supplements work brilliantly for anyone struggling to meet their energy needs through food alone. Endurance athletes, bodybuilders in a bulking phase, and anyone with a high training volume can benefit from adding strategic carbs to their nutrition plan.

They're particularly useful if you train early in the morning and struggle to eat solid food, or if you need quick-digesting fuel between back-to-back training sessions. Even if you're just looking for a convenient way to hit your macro targets, carb powders offer a flexible, cost-effective solution.

When to Use Carbohydrates

Timing depends on your specific product and goals. Fast-acting carbs like maltodextrin work well during prolonged endurance sessions or immediately post-workout to replenish depleted glycogen stores. Energy gels are designed for consumption during long runs or cycling sessions when you need rapid fuel delivery.

Slower-digesting options like oats fit better into your regular meal plan, working as a breakfast base or a convenient snack between training sessions. If you're using a weight gainer that combines carbs with protein, treat it like a substantial meal replacement rather than a quick top-up.

Carbohydrates Benefits

Primary fuel for intense training

Carbohydrates are stored in your muscles as glycogen, which serves as your go-to energy source during high-intensity exercise. When those stores run low, your performance drops off sharply. Supplementing with carbs helps you maintain that fuel tank, especially during demanding training blocks.

Convenient calorie boost

Adding extra carbs to your diet doesn't require complex meal prep or forcing down endless bowls of rice. A scoop of carb powder mixed into your shake or water delivers substantial calories in seconds, making it much easier to stay in a surplus if muscle gain is your priority.

Glycogen replenishment after training

After a tough session, your muscles are primed to absorb nutrients and rebuild depleted glycogen. Consuming carbs during this window, particularly when combined with protein, helps restore those energy reserves more efficiently than waiting hours to eat a proper meal.

Versatile and easy to digest

Unlike heavy meals that can sit uncomfortably in your stomach, carb supplements are formulated for quick digestion and absorption. Whether you need fuel mid-workout or a post-session top-up that won't interfere with your appetite later, these products fit seamlessly into your routine.

Popular Picks

Looking for a breakfast staple? 100% Instant Oats - Portable sachets packed with rapidly absorbed carbs and electrolytes, designed to be consumed on the move during long-distance running or cycling. Each gel delivers 25g of carbs in a convenient, pocket-sized format.

FAQs

What are carbohydrate supplements?

Carbohydrate supplements are concentrated sources of carbs in powder, gel, or ready-to-eat formats. They typically contain either simple sugars like dextrose and maltodextrin for rapid absorption, or complex carbs like oats that digest more slowly. These products make it easier to increase your carb intake without having to prepare and consume large volumes of solid food.

What's the difference between maltodextrin and oats?

Maltodextrin is a fast-digesting carbohydrate that's absorbed quickly, making it ideal for intra-workout fuel or immediate post-training glycogen replenishment. Oats, whether instant or rolled, are complex carbs that break down gradually, providing sustained energy over several hours.

Choose maltodextrin when you need rapid energy delivery during or immediately after exercise. Opt for oats when you want a filling meal replacement or sustained fuel that won't spike your blood sugar as quickly.

How much carbohydrate powder should I take?

This depends entirely on your training volume, body weight, and overall calorie goals. A general starting point is 30-50g of fast-acting carbs immediately post-workout if you're training intensely, or 50-100g of oats as part of a substantial meal replacement.

Endurance athletes might consume 30-60g of carbs per hour during prolonged exercise, whilst those bulking may add 100g+ to their daily shakes. Track your energy levels, recovery, and progress to find what works for your individual needs.

Can I mix carbohydrate powder with protein?

Absolutely. Combining carbs with protein post-workout is a common strategy, as the carbs help shuttle amino acids into muscle cells whilst replenishing glycogen stores. Many people simply add a scoop of maltodextrin or instant oats directly to their protein shake.

The ratio depends on your goals. A 2:1 or 3:1 carb-to-protein ratio works well for endurance recovery, whilst strength athletes might prefer closer to 1:1 if they're watching overall calorie intake.

When should I use energy gels?

Energy gels are designed for consumption during endurance activities lasting over 60-90 minutes. They're particularly useful for runners, cyclists, and triathletes who need portable fuel that's easy to consume on the move without digestive discomfort.

Take one gel every 30-45 minutes during prolonged exercise, always with water to aid absorption. They're not intended as a daily supplement or meal replacement, just as strategic fuel during extended training sessions or races.

Who developed these carbohydrate products?

Myprotein's expert nutritionists developed our carbohydrate range, working to create products that meet the specific demands of different training styles. From ultra-pure maltodextrin to convenient instant oats, each product is formulated to deliver reliable nutrition without unnecessary additives.

What's the difference between a weight gainer and pure carbs?

Weight gainers combine protein, carbs, and often additional ingredients like creatine into an all-in-one formula designed to boost overall calorie intake. Pure carb supplements contain just carbohydrates, giving you complete control over your macros by letting you add exactly the amount you need to your existing protein or meals.

Choose a weight gainer if you want convenience and struggle to eat enough calories. Pick pure carbs if you prefer to customise your macro split or already have a protein powder you're happy with.

Can I use carbohydrate supplements if I'm trying to lose weight?

Carb supplements aren't typically necessary during a fat loss phase, as you'll naturally be in a calorie deficit and likely reducing carb intake. However, strategically timed carbs around training can help maintain performance and muscle mass whilst dieting.

If you're doing high-volume training whilst cutting, a small serving of fast-acting carbs intra-workout might help sustain intensity without derailing your overall deficit. Just account for those calories in your daily total.

Are instant oats the same as regular porridge oats?

Nutritionally, they're virtually identical since both come from whole oats. The difference is texture and convenience. Instant oats are ground into a fine powder that mixes easily into shakes and requires minimal or no cooking, whilst rolled oats maintain their traditional texture and need to be cooked or soaked.

Both provide the same slow-release complex carbohydrates and fibre. Your choice comes down to whether you prioritise convenience and smooth texture (instant) or prefer the heartier, more filling consistency of traditional porridge (rolled).

Do I need to cycle carbohydrate supplements?

There's no need to cycle carb supplements the way you might with certain performance enhancers. Carbohydrates are a fundamental macronutrient that your body uses daily. Your intake will naturally vary based on training volume, goals, and overall diet structure.

You might increase carbs during high-volume training blocks or reduce them during rest weeks, but this is about matching your nutrition to your activity level rather than any requirement to cycle the supplements themselves.