Are you feeling tired and depleted after a workout? Are you struggling to see muscle gains as quickly as you’d like?
Well then, you’re in the right place.
We’ve put together the ultimate list of carbohydrate supplements for 2023, designed to supercharge your post-workout muscle recovery and fast-track muscle growth.
So, let this list be your guide as we take you through the best of the best in each category. And speaking of the best, our top pick for the best overall carb supplement is none other than Carb Powder by Transparent Labs.
Discount codes:
LV10 = 10% off Transparent Labs
Read below to find out more (your muscles are begging you for it!)
Table of Contents
- 1 The Top 7 Recommended Carb Supplements
- 1.1 1. Best Overall Carb Supplement: Carb Powder – Transparent Labs
- 1.2 2. Best Budget Carb Supplement: Carb Surge – Jacked Factory
- 1.3 3. Best Carb Supplement with ModCarb and D-Ribose: Formula XII – Huge Supplements
- 1.4 4. Best Bulk Carb Supplement: Maltodextrin Powder – Bulk Supplements
- 1.5 5. Best Carb Supplements with BCAAS: Motion – XWERKS
- 1.6 6. Best Carb Supplement with Electrolytes: Super Carb – NutraBio
- 1.7 7. Best Carb Supplements With Whole Food Ingredients: Clean Carbs – Swolverine
- 2 What To Look For When Buying A Carb Supplement
- 3 Benefits Of Carbohydrate Supplements
- 4 FAQs About Carb Supplements
The Top 7 Recommended Carb Supplements
- Carb Powder – Transparent Labs
- Carb Surge – Jacked Factory
- Formula XII – Huge Supplements
- Maltodextrin – Bulk Supplements
- Motion – XWERKS
- Super Carb – NutraBio
- Clean Carbs – Swolverine
1. Best Overall Carb Supplement: Carb Powder – Transparent Labs
Discount codes:
LV10 = 10% off Transparent Labs
Carb Source:
- Cluster Dextrin – 25 g
Carb Powder by Transparent Labs is our best overall carb supplement for good reason.
The primary carbohydrate source in Transparent Labs’ Carb Powder is Cluster Dextrin: a high-quality, water-soluble complex carbohydrate known for its quick yet steady release of energy.
This product has a clean ingredient profile, meaning there are no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives to be found here.
Taste-wise, this carb supplement comes unflavored, a major plus for those who like to mix supplements into their beverage of choice without altering the taste.
With only 100 calories per serving, this isn’t a very calorie-dense supplement, and we advise looking at other products on the market if your goal is to bulk up. Nevertheless, it remains our top pick for the best carbohydrate supplement on the market.
Key Ingredients:
- Cluster Dextrin – 25 g
2. Best Budget Carb Supplement: Carb Surge – Jacked Factory
Carb Sources:
- Carb10 (pea starch)
- Cluster Dextrin
Priced at $34.99 for a 30-serving tub, Jacked Factory Carb Surge is one of the most affordable carb supplements on the market and our top pick for those on a tight budget.
The powerful blend of Carb10 and Cluster Dextrin is scientifically formulated to help with faster muscle recovery, and ultimately, help you build lean muscle mass.
It comes in two delicious zero-sugar varieties – peach mango flavor for those who love fruity flavors, and unflavored for those who prefer to keep it simple.
Some users have complained that Jacked Factory Carb Surge can be a bit stubborn when it comes to dissolving, causing clumps to form at the bottom of the bottle. So, just remember to give your bottle a good shake before each sip.
Key Ingredients:
- Carb10 (pea starch) – 15 g
- Cluster Dextrin – 10 g
3. Best Carb Supplement with ModCarb and D-Ribose: Formula XII – Huge Supplements
With several high quality carbohydrate ingredients, Formula XII is great for fueling long workouts or training while fasted.
Carb Sources:
- Cluster Dextrin
- Organic ModCarb
- D-Ribose
Huge Supplements Formula XII is packed with 12 high-quality ingredients, including carb sources like Cluster Dextrin, ModCarb, and D-Ribose, that help you stay energized throughout your workout.
The ModCarb in this supplement isn’t your regular carb source – it’s a gluten-free, real-food organic mix of oats, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, chia, and millet – all superb sources of clean carbs.
Huge Supplements Formula XII is available in two delicious flavors – Candy Apple and Tropical Blast.
This is definitely one of the more pricey carbohydrate supplements on the market, priced at $64.95 for a 30-serving container. But, as with most things, a high price reflects high quality, which is definitely the case with Formula XII.
Key Ingredients:
- Cluster Dextrin – 10,000 mg
- Organic ModCarb – 5,000 mg
- D-Ribose – 1,000 mg
- Creatine Monohydrate – 5,000 mg
- Beta-Alanine – 3,200 mg
- Betaine Anhydrous – 3,000 mg
- L-Ornithine HCL – 2,000 mg
- Potassium Citrate – 150 mg
- Grape Seed Extract – 125 mg
- Alpha Lipoic Acid – 100 mg
- Magnesium Citrate – 40 mg
- Bioperine – 5 mg
4. Best Bulk Carb Supplement: Maltodextrin Powder – Bulk Supplements
Carb Source:
- Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a natural carbohydrate supplement that is derived from wholesome sources like corn, rice, or potato starch.
This supplement replenishes the muscle glycogen stores you deplete during your workout and is also highly caloric, helping bodybuilders reach their carb intake goals in order to build muscle mass.
Bulk Supplements Maltodextrin is definitely a wallet-friendly option, starting at just $8.96 for a small 100-gram bag and $181.75 for the largest size of 25 kg.
All products are made in a National Sanitation Foundation-certified and FDA-registered facility and every batch is tested by a third party before distribution.
While most experience no side effects from taking Maltodrexin, a few have reported experiencing gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Key Ingredients:
- Maltodextrin – 30 g
5. Best Carb Supplements with BCAAS: Motion – XWERKS
Carb Source:
- Cluster Dextrin
The Motion by XWERKS formulation is brilliant – each serving has 25 g of carbs in the form of ClusterDextrin and three grams of BCAAs in the ratio of 2:1:1 (leucine:isoleucine:valine) Studies have shown this to be the most effective ratio for increased performance.
What’s more, the formula contains electrolytes in the form of sodium, magnesium, and calcium, to help replenish what you’ve sweat out.
At $1.63 per serving or $49 for a container, this is a great post-workout supplement investment – especially for those who usually take their BCAAs separately.
It works great as an intra-workout and post-workout supplement to prevent dehydration and cramping.
The majority of users who rated the product poorly complained about the poor taste of both flavors, Watermelon and Blue Raspberry, with some describing the taste as soapy.
Key Ingredients:
- Cluster Dextrin – 25 mg
- Calcium Lactate-Gluconate – 80 mg
- Magnesium Lactate – 35 mg
- Sodium – 34 mg
- BCAA 2:1:1 Instantized Blend AminoBlast – 3 g
6. Best Carb Supplement with Electrolytes: Super Carb – NutraBio
Discount codes:
LIFTVAULT = 15% off Nutri Cartel
Carb Source:
- Cluster Dextrin
NutraBio’s Super Carb supplement helps you keep your stamina up at the gym and gives your muscles the fuel they need to perform their best.
With a hefty 822 mg of electrolytes, there is no doubt this supplement will be able to help you defeat dehydration, avoid muscle cramps, and sustain vital minerals.
There is an unflavored option available that can easily be added to any pre-, intra-, or post-workout beverage, but for those who prefer flavored supplements, there are also Pineapple, Kiwi Strawberry, Orange Mango, and Raspberry Lemonade flavors available.
Price-wise, this carbohydrate supplement is pretty affordable, costing $34.99 for a 30-serving container and $64.99 for a 60-serving container.
Some users have reported an artificial sweetener taste and issues with mixability – fairly common issues we believe can be overlooked if you truly value the benefits that come with this amount of added electrolytes!
Key Ingredients:
- Cluster Dextrin – 25 g
- Electrolyte Optimizer – 822 mg
- Calcium – 95 mg
- Phosphorous – 81 mg
- Magnesium – 28 mg
- Sodium – 50 mg
- Potassium – 80 mg
7. Best Carb Supplements With Whole Food Ingredients: Clean Carbs – Swolverine
Carb Sources:
- Sweet potato powder – 10 g
- Pounded yams – 10 g
- Oats – 7 g
Clean Carbs by Swolverine is an impressive carbohydrate source made with whole-food ingredients like sweet potato powder, pounded yams, oats, and blueberries.
Compared to simple carbs, complex carbohydrates are much better at improving cholesterol levels and slowing down the digestive system.
Another thing that sets Clean Carbs apart from its competitors is its exclusion of maltodextrin which can lead to blood sugar spikes, increased body fat, and energy crashes.
This carb supplement comes in one unique flavor – sweet potato pie – which is loved by most but disliked by a small minority of users.
Clean Carbs by Swolverine costs $56,99, which we consider a reasonable price for a 45-serving container.
Key Ingredients:
- Vitamin A – 7658 IU
- Vitamin C – 4 mg
- Folate – 8 mcg
- Calcium – 20 mg
- Phosphorus – 49 mg
- Sodium – 10 mg
- Potassium – 170 mg
- Sweet potato powder – 10 g
- Pounded yams – 10 g
- Oats – 7 g
- Blueberry powder – 500 mg
What To Look For When Buying A Carb Supplement
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choice with the overload of products on the market today. So, how can you narrow down your choice when choosing a carb supplement? We’ve listed a few points to make things easier for you:
Contains at least 20 mg of carbohydrates
Whether you’re on the hunt for a post-workout supplement to support muscle protein synthesis or just want to fuel your muscles, you’re going to want a supplement that contains at least 20 mg of carbohydrates.
This quantity is a solid starting point to ensure you’re getting sufficient carbs to fuel your workouts and promote muscle recovery.
Decide if you want a flavored or unflavored supplement
Unflavored supplements offer flexibility because you can mix them with other flavored supplements, such as a pre-workout, without altering the taste too much.
However, if you prefer a flavored carb supplement, there are plenty of variants on the market ranging from blue raspberry to sweet potato pie!
Choose a carb source
Many carbohydrate supplements rely on sugars like maltodextrin and D-ribose. These sources allow a quick release of glucose into the bloodstream, providing an immediate source of energy.
However, you can also find options like Cluster Dextrin, which is absorbed rapidly by your muscle cells but doesn’t lead to rapid spikes in your blood sugar levels. This is thanks to its unique structure that differs from those associated with simple sugars.
You’ve also got options like grain-based carbohydrates (ModCarb or Carbo10) that have high nutrient density and other whole food-based carb supplements made from sweet potatoes and yams. The latter could be a great choice if you’re keen on complex carbohydrates for sustained energy release.
Purchase from a reputable brand
It’s a fact that not all brands are equal in quality. That’s why it’s crucial to do your research in order to purchase from a reputable one.
Reading reviews is a great way to do this. This will give you honest insights into the experiences of others and how effective the product was for them.
Also, check if the carb supplement brand participates in third-party testing, much like Transparent Labs does. This is a quality assurance step that shows a brand’s commitment to providing high-quality, clean, and effective products.
Benefits Of Carbohydrate Supplements
Carbohydrate supplements aid athletic performance in a multitude of ways. Many of the key ingredients in carbohydrate supplements (like maltodextrin) are responsible for all the amazing benefits that come pre-, intra-, and post-workout.
Quick energy source during exercise
If you consume maltodextrin before or during exercise, your body has an immediate source of glucose to use, thanks to its high GI (glycemic index). This quick absorption helps to maintain the blood glucose levels needed for energy during exercise and also prevents drops that could lead to fatigue, dizziness, or worse, hypoglycemia.
Improved endurance performance
If you’re into endurance exercises like long-distance running or cycling, maltodextrin has got your back! Studies have shown that maltodextrin can maintain blood glucose levels and spare muscle glycogen for when you really need it.
This does depend, however, on the length of the glucose chains in the specific maltodextrin formulation. Longer chains will be broken down and absorbed more slowly, leading to higher endurance, while shorter chains are broken down and absorbed more rapidly, leading to more instant energy release.
Enhanced recovery after exercise
When you’re wiped out after a workout, maltodextrin works as a post-workout supplement to help replenish those glycogen stores that your body uses up during exercise. This enables effective muscle recovery and muscle growth.
It also helps to enhance the body’s rate of protein synthesis due to the insulin response that drives essential amino acids into muscle cells where they can be used to repair and build new proteins,
Weight gain
If you’re looking to bulk up and increase your body weight, maltodextrin is definitely your friend. It’s calorie-dense, which means it can help you meet your calorie intake goals. A high-calorie content also means that it’ll support high energy demands in sports.
FAQs About Carb Supplements
Are carb supplements healthy?
Carb supplements are a healthy addition to any athlete’s diet. Many carb supplement brands come with no added preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or coloring. There are also brands that are strictly vegan and others that only use whole-food ingredients.
Generally, yes. For example, mixing a carb supplement with a protein supplement can be beneficial for post-workout recovery. But, always remember to read the label instructions of your specific carb supplement first.
Yes, carbs can play a small role in building muscle, but they’re not as important as protein.
People who consume carbs as a post-workout supplement help their bodies replenish glycogen stores in muscle cells, promoting muscle recovery and growth. This can be particularly beneficial when combined with other dietary supplements, such as protein powders which help enhance muscle protein synthesis.
Yes, some people do experience side effects after taking carbohydrate supplements. The most common include digestive issues such as gas and bloating. In some cases, carb supplements can cause a rapid rise and fall in blood sugar levels leading to energy crashes.
The daily carbohydrate intake differs from person to person according to body weight. However, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a carb intake of 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calories, which is typically around 225 to 325 grams of carbs per day based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
