Why Zach Bitter Went High Carb After 14 Years of Low Carb Fueling episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 19, 2026 · 1H 12M

Why Zach Bitter Went High Carb After 14 Years of Low Carb Fueling

from The Eat for Endurance Podcast · host Claire Shorenstein, MS RD CSSD with Zach Bitter

What if the fueling strategy you’ve followed for years is no longer the one that best supports your performance?In Episode 131 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by elite ultrarunner and coach Zach Bitter for a thoughtful conversation about his experience with both low and high carb fueling.After following a low carb diet for 14 years, including when he broke the World and American Records in the 100-mile distance, he decided to change course and try high carb fueling. It's been 8 months now of experimenting with more carbs, and so far, he’s had a very positive experience.Zach and I discuss:Why he originally went low carb as a younger ultrarunnerWhat his particular flavor of low carb fueling looked like in practiceWhat motivated him to dramatically increase his carb intake last yearHow high carb fueling has influenced his recent training and racingWhy you shouldn't make one single diet your whole identityThe importance of curiosity and flexibility for long-term health and performanceThis episode is full of nuance, and underscores the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all diet. As Zach says in the episode, don't be afraid to try something new, because if it doesn't work out, you can always go back to what you were doing before!🎧 Tune in to learn more!Links & ResourcesFollow Zach Bitter on Instagram and visit Zach’s WebsiteInterested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew for just $39/month (cancel anytime)Grab my Nutrition Mini Guide Bundle (a collection of 6 mini guides, worksheets, and a bonus supplement resource)Check out my free nutrition downloadsSupport the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon communityGet in touch at [email protected] Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

What if the fueling strategy you’ve followed for years is no longer the one that best supports your performance? In Episode 131 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by elite ultrarunner and coach Zach Bitter for a thoughtful conversation about his experience with both low and high carb fueling. After following a low carb diet for 14 years, including when he broke the World and American Records in the 100-mile distance, he decided to change course and try high carb fueling. It's been 8...

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Why Zach Bitter Went High Carb After 14 Years of Low Carb Fueling

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This episode was published on February 19, 2026.

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What if the fueling strategy you’ve followed for years is no longer the one that best supports your performance?In Episode 131 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by elite ultrarunner and coach Zach Bitter for a thoughtful conversation...

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