Quite simplified, but true:
- the more carbs + the greater calorie surplus the more anabolic (to an extent). It's well documented that a carb rich diet will result in greater mass and size gains. Unfortunately it also increases the risk of getting fat since carbs that aren't used will be stored as fat...which means you have to walk a very fine line.
One problem with a low carb diet CAN be low blood sugar which means the body will turn to use more muscle for energy.
Ideally we should know exactly how many calories we will be burning for the next 3 hrs or so and eat for that. So if you're going out shopping and walking, you add a few calories to your "standard meal". If you're going to relax on the couch you eat less, if you're gonna nap you eat even less.
I am simply posting this for beginners to read.