Summing Up
So let’s sum up, looking at both practical minimum and maximum carbohydrate intakes under different circumstances. For illustrative purposes, after each of the g/lb recommendations, I’ll give an absolute number of carbohydrate, assuming an athlete with 160 pounds of lean body mass.
Circumstance Carbohydrate Requirement1 Grams for an athlete with 160 lbs. LBM
Physiological Requirement 0 g/day 0 g/day
PracticalMinimum to Avoid Muscle Breakdown2 50 g/day 50 g/day
Practical Minimum for Individuals Who Function Poorly In Ketosis3 100-120 g/day 100-120 g/day
Additional Amount to Sustain Low Intensity Exercise Minimal approaching zero Minimal approaching zero
Additional Amount Needed to Sustain Weight Training 5 g carbs. per 2 work sets4 5 g carbs. per 2 work sets4
Average Recommendations in Bodybuilding Nutrition 1-3 g/lb. 160-480 g/day
Average Recommendations by Mainstream Nutritionists 2-3 g/lb 320-480 g/day
Average Intake for Endurance Athletes 2 g/lb 320 g/day
Recommended Intake for Endurance Athletes 3-4.5 g/lb 480-720 g/day
Practical Maximum for Non-Carb Loading Individuals 4 g/lb 640 g/day
Maximal Intakes for Carb-Loading ~7 g/lb 1120 g/day