Milos Sarcev says the keto diet is a key to success in bodybuilding.
Veteran bodybuilder and trainer Milos Sarcev recently gave his opinions on how to best prep for a bodybuilding show one week out, concluding that utilizing the keto diet is the best method. Many have often wondered what is the best approach to nutrition when trying to build muscle and lose body fat. With years of experience under his belt, Sarcev has appeared to have unlocked the code.
There have been many fad diets that have come and gone throughout the history of health and wellness. Whether it’s going, vegan, low carb, or Paleo, the list goes on and on. There have been so many different approaches that have worked for many different people that it’s hard to know, which diet is the best in order to build quality muscle and burn away stubborn fat. In recent years, many have turned to the keto diet as a method in which to drop a drastic amount of weight while either building or maintaining muscle mass. But while that approach may be great for the average person, How effective is it really for a professional bodybuilder? According to veteran bodybuilder and trainer, Milos Sarcev, keto should be a staple in a bodybuilder’s diet.
Now don’t get it confused, Milos Sarcev isn’t saying cut carbs completely out of your diet. The bodybuilding trainer recommends that during the week of a competition, a competitor should go low-carb. He also recommends that if you’re not training at all, then the keto diet should be your baseline. If you are going to train, however, Sarcev recommends consuming carbs around your training window. This way you’re able to get the most out of your training while burning the excess carbs off of your body so it doesn’t stay on your frame and, potentially, convert to fat.
When to Carb and When Not to Carb
In a recent interview with Dennis James, Milos Sarcev explained his approach to utilizing a low-carb diet in preparation for bodybuilding shows. He also detailed when, and how to utilize carbs in your diet for the best results.
“My diet, my 24-hour diet for any human being on this planet earth, keto until you need the glucose for fuel in the muscle. That’s it. Keto, you don’t need carbs,” said Milos Sarcev.
“What do you need carbs for? Your body can use fats as a fuel no problem. High-intensity training is weightlifting and muscle contractions, it needs glucose as a fuel. Whether you provide it or not, your body is going to find it. It’s going to find it.”
Carbs as a “Distraction” to Build Muscle
Milos Sarcev went on to explain that by utilizing carbs, your body will avoid going after the protein you consume, which allows the important amino acid to do its work in repairing the muscle which leads to growth. In a way, carbs work as a deterrent of sorts so your body doesn’t eat away at the protein you consume and in turn, doesn’t go after your muscle. As Sarcev said the body will find glucose one way or another. When training it’s best to introduce carbs in order for the body to look elsewhere and leave protein to do its job in helping muscles heal and grow.
While on the keto diet, the body has a chance to lean out even more, especially during the week of competition. Carbs are still your friend during training, but they need to be utilized as a tool rather than something to mindlessly consume.
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
