Thread: Starchy carb restrictions during bulk.

I'm just starting a new 12wk training program (see more info in my IM Journal) in hopes of bulking up. I'll be doing a 8wk cycle of NHA Stack along-side to try and gain an additional pound or two on top of what have otherwise been acheived.

My question is this...

I've been advised to remove the starchy carbs from meals 5 & 6 (to reduce any potential for developing a doughy appearance). However, if I do that, I find it difficult to eat enough fibrous green veg to replace the calories I would've otherwise obtained from rice, swt pot', bread or whatever.

In May I lost 4lb while eating 3,200cal and doing no cardio. I upped my calorie intake in June to 3,600 and possibly did gain a pound of body fat along with a couple pounds of LBM. In July I've maintained the 3,600cal intake and resumed cardio. No notable gains so far.

Yesterday I ate four 600cal meals (Meals1-4), then removed the starchy carbs from meals 5&6. The day ended on 3,250 and I'd stuffed myself full of green veggies along with the 6oz chicken & 6oz beef I had for meals 5&6. If I continue to remove the starchy carbs from meals 5&6 I imagine I'll only be taking in 3,200 to 3,300cal daily.

Since I lost weight in May on 3,200cal w/no cardio, gained weight in June on 3,600 w/no cardio, have noticed no notable gains so far in July w/3,600cal + cardio, should I be plan to increase meals 1-4 to maybe 700cal, so that when I eat meals 5&6, w/plenty of fibrous green veg, I still get my 3,600cal intake? And, if so, what's the point of eliminating the starchy carbs from meals 5&6 if I'm just going to be adding them to meals earlier in the day?

I guess I'm just not entirely clear of the roll of starchy carbs during a bulking-up/hypertrophy-based training program.

Any thoughts, anyone?

The "thermic effect of food" is the answer here, I believe. The body uses a lot more calories trying to extract the glucose from green veg than it does from starchy carbs like bread, rice etc. Something like that (as far as I know).

I did better yesterday anyway. 3,700cal intake w/no starchy carbs after 4:15pm. Still using remainder of Cytogainer for PWO shakes, but plan to switch to homemade shakes once it's gone (as long as I can make one that's pretty good).

My concern with switching to green veg after 4pm is that this is kind-of adopting a cutting diet at the start of a bulking training program. Only time and trial/error will reveal my body's secrets in the end, I guess. At least with 3,600-3,800calories daily (and 2g protein per 1lb of me) there should be enough of everything I need to If I gain some LBM over the next 6months. If I gain a little fat too I'm not going to panic. I'll run it off again during winter (in time for Spring next year).