Carbohydrates
Optimize your performance with our hard-hitting carb products. The most common source of energy for your body, they should make up between 55-75% of your dietary intake — super-important whatever your goals.
Whether you prefer carbohydrate powders, gels, energy bars or good old-fashioned instant oats, our range of fast - and slow - release carbs is sure to have something for you.
Shop Carbohydrates at Myprotein
Carbohydrates are the body's primary fuel source, and getting your intake right matters — whether you're training hard, competing, or simply staying active. The carbohydrate range at Myprotein covers everything from fast-acting energy gels to high-calorie mass gainers, giving you precise control over your carb intake whatever your goal. Every formula is developed with performance in mind, so you're getting serious nutrition in practical formats.
Carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function1 and play a central role in fuelling physical activity. For those pushing through high-intensity sessions, carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.2 Whether you're looking for a mid-run gel or a post-workout mass gainer, there's a format here that fits your routine.
Who Carbohydrates Are For
Carbohydrate supplements are built for anyone who trains with purpose. Endurance athletes — runners, cyclists, and swimmers — rely on carb gels and solutions to sustain output across long sessions. Gym-goers focused on building size will lean toward high-calorie options that stack carbs alongside protein to hit the numbers their training demands.
That said, carbs aren't only for elite athletes. Anyone with an active lifestyle who finds it difficult to meet their carbohydrate needs through food alone will find these products a practical solution. They're straightforward to use, easy to take on the go, and available in formats that slot into any routine without disruption.
When to Use Carbohydrates
Timing matters when it comes to carbohydrate supplements. Energy gels are designed for use during exercise — the fast-acting carbohydrate sources in these products are formulated for quick availability when you're mid-session and need fuel without stopping to eat. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise,3 making them a staple for longer training blocks and race-day nutrition.
Post-exercise is equally important. Carbohydrate-rich mass gainers are typically taken after training, where the combination of carbs and protein makes them a convenient way to hit elevated calorie targets. For those in a building phase, consistency with post-workout nutrition is where these products make the biggest difference day to day.
Carbohydrates Benefits
Fuel for Endurance Training
Energy gels and carbohydrate solutions are engineered for sustained output. Carbohydrate solutions contribute to the improvement of physical performance during high-intensity and long-lasting physical exercise in trained adults.4 Formats like THE Energy Gel use a 2:1 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio across dual absorption pathways, delivering 30g of carbohydrates per serving without the digestive discomfort that single-source carb products can cause.
Brain Function Support
It's not just your muscles that run on carbohydrates — carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function.1 Keeping carbohydrate intake consistent throughout the day is as relevant to focus and mental performance as it is to physical output.
Muscle Glycogen Replenishment
After intense training, glycogen stores in skeletal muscle are depleted. Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.2 Getting carbohydrates in promptly after a session is a straightforward strategy used by athletes across all disciplines.
High-Calorie Support for Size Goals
Mass gainers combine carbohydrates with protein to make hitting high daily calorie targets more manageable. Impact Whey Mass Gainer delivers 50g of carbs and 30g of protein per serving, making it a practical option for those who struggle to eat enough through food alone to fuel a building phase.
Popular Picks
THE Energy Gel — Built for dedicated athletes who need serious fuel mid-session, THE Energy Gel delivers 30g of carbohydrates per serving in a 2:1 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio, with added electrolytes and B vitamins that contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Myprotein THE Pre Workout Gel (Sample) (USA) — A sample-sized way to try THE Pre Workout Gel before committing to the full thing.
Impact Whey Mass Gainer — For those looking to add serious size, Impact Whey Mass Gainer packs 388 calories, 30g of protein, and 50g of carbs into a single serving.
FAQs
What are carbohydrate supplements?
Carbohydrate supplements are products formulated to deliver concentrated amounts of carbohydrates in convenient, easy-to-consume formats. They come in gels, powders, and ready-to-mix formulas, each designed to suit different points in a training routine — from mid-session fuel to post-workout replenishment. They're particularly popular with endurance athletes and anyone who finds it difficult to meet high daily carbohydrate needs through food alone.
What are energy gels and how do they work?
Energy gels are single-serve, concentrated carbohydrate products designed for consumption during exercise. They typically use fast-acting carbohydrate sources that are available quickly during physical activity. THE Energy Gel, for example, uses a 2:1 ratio of maltodextrin to fructose across two separate absorption pathways, delivering 30g of carbohydrates per serving — a format purpose-built for athletes who need reliable fuel without slowing down.
What is the difference between a carbohydrate gel and a carbohydrate powder?
Carbohydrate gels are pre-portioned and designed for on-the-go use during training or competition — no mixing required. Carbohydrate powders offer more flexibility in how you dose and consume them, typically mixed with water before or after exercise. Gels suit athletes who need fast, portable nutrition mid-session; powders are better suited to those who prefer to prepare their nutrition in advance or want to adjust serving sizes.
When should I take a carbohydrate supplement?
Carbohydrate supplements are most commonly used during or after exercise. Energy gels are taken mid-session to maintain fuel levels during prolonged activity. Post-exercise, carbohydrates play a role in replenishing glycogen stores depleted during intense training — carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.2 Mass gainers with high carb content are typically used after training as part of a calorie-building strategy.
Which carbohydrate supplement should I choose for endurance training?
For endurance training, a dedicated energy gel or carbohydrate-electrolyte solution is the most practical choice. THE Energy Gel is designed specifically for this purpose — 30g of carbohydrates per serving using a dual-source 2:1 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio, engineered for the dedicated athlete who needs consistent fuel across long sessions. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions also contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise.3
Are carbohydrate supplements suitable for weight gain?
High-calorie carbohydrate products like mass gainers are a common tool for those looking to increase overall calorie intake as part of a size-building phase. Impact Whey Mass Gainer provides 50g of carbohydrates and 30g of protein per serving, making it a straightforward way to add significant calories to your daily intake without needing to eat multiple additional meals. Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass5 when combined with resistance training.
What is a 2:1 maltodextrin to fructose ratio?
A 2:1 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio refers to the proportion of these two carbohydrate sources in a product. Maltodextrin and fructose are absorbed through different intestinal pathways, meaning the body can process more total carbohydrate per hour compared to a single-source product. THE Energy Gel uses this ratio, delivering 30g of carbohydrates per serving in a format developed for sustained performance during intense or prolonged exercise.
Who develops the carbohydrate products at Myprotein?
All carbohydrate products at Myprotein are developed by Myprotein's expert nutritionists. Every formula is built around the specific demands of different training styles and goals, from endurance energy gels to high-calorie mass gainers, ensuring each product delivers precise, relevant nutrition rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
How many carbohydrates do I need when training?
Carbohydrate needs vary depending on training duration, intensity, and individual goals. Higher training volumes typically require greater carbohydrate intake to maintain performance and replenish glycogen after sessions. Carbohydrate supplements are one practical way to meet those elevated needs, particularly for athletes who train multiple times per week or engage in prolonged endurance activity where food intake during exercise isn't practical.
Do carbohydrate supplements contain protein?
Some do and some don't — it depends on the product type. Dedicated energy gels and carbohydrate powders are typically protein-free, designed purely to deliver fast-acting carbohydrates. Mass gainers combine both macronutrients; Impact Whey Mass Gainer, for example, provides 30g of protein alongside 50g of carbohydrates per serving, making it a dual-purpose product suited to those who want to hit both targets in one formula.
1. Carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function.
2. Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function (contraction) after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.
3. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise.
4. Carbohydrate solutions contribute to the improvement of physical performance during a high-intensity and long-lasting physical exercise in trained adults.
5. Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.