Q&A with Chris Tuttle

[ChrisTuttle]

Hey everyone, quick background:

Starting competing in 2005 as a middle weight
Turned IFBB pro in 2013 at Nationals winning the light heavyweight class
Been with Universal since 2014
First pro show 212 NY Pro placed 5th
I am a Registered Dietitian and have my masters in Nutrition (4 years clinical nutrition experience in a hospital)
I run my own business at home with my Fiance Alexia (Nutrition based): nutrition and disease, show preps, weight loss, diabetes management, ect...)


Any questions I will be more than happy to answer. Thanks!

[Superman55]

How do you gel about Keifers Carb Backloading?

[Nick527]

Hey Chris,

any plans on a next competition? and are you planning to move to the open division any time soon (if ever)?

thanks man

[Rex]

Finally!
Good having you here. Finally someone who isn´t just throwing around bro science. Like me... Haha

[ChrisTuttle]

How do you gel about Keifers Carb Backloading?

I prepped someone once on back loading before and have used it in weight loss clients with good results. However, it is for sure not for everyone and is not superior for most. I tend to do what works for that individual. I do not hate or really push it unless it is the last resort.

Def do not think it is best for gaining in the off season.

[ChrisTuttle]

Hey Chris,

any plans on a next competition? and are you planning to move to the open division any time soon (if ever)?

thanks man

Not sure yet! I am getting married and very busy with clients competing but I will not be doing open! Just not feasible with my GI issues. I got up to 262 this off season but my UC got so bad from eating so much that I ended up having to back down my calories significantly to allow bowel rest. So 212 will be where I will stay.

[ChrisTuttle]

Finally!
Good having you here. Finally someone who isn´t just throwing around bro science. Like me... Haha

HHAHAHh! I think today too many overthink things and make it more complicated than it needs to be!

[Rex]

I remember you talking about struggling with Collitis. Is that correct?

What are you doing to keep that in check?
Considering the amounts of food we have to eat, we all want as efficiently and optimally working intestines.

Any supplements or nutritional guidelines you have learned to work well?

Thank you, Chris.

[ChrisTuttle]

I remember you talking about struggling with Collitis. Is that correct?

What are you doing to keep that in check?
Considering the amounts of food we have to eat, we all want as efficiently and optimally working intestines.

Any supplements or nutritional guidelines you have learned to work well?

Thank you, Chris.

I have UC (ulcerative Colitis) lke colitis plus blood! AHAHH Fun time!

Actually I have had a lot of trouble eating large amounts of food this year and simply cannot anymore with UC. What I do is just eat until I feel that I am satisfied as in feeding my appetite and nothing more. Surprisingly so far so good. Been able to gain some weight and improve my phys. I just simply cannot force myself to eat. My GI will not tolerate it.

What new supp that I love is ZMA. I get such deeper sleep to the point that 9 out of ten days I feel refreshed in the am and never ever feel tired during the day anymore. Happens a lot when I am bigger (250+).

[Rex]

I have UC (ulcerative Colitis) lke colitis plus blood! AHAHH Fun time!

Actually I have had a lot of trouble eating large amounts of food this year and simply cannot anymore with UC. What I do is just eat until I feel that I am satisfied as in feeding my appetite and nothing more. Surprisingly so far so good. Been able to gain some weight and improve my phys. I just simply cannot force myself to eat. My GI will not tolerate it.

What new supp that I love is ZMA. I get such deeper sleep to the point that 9 out of ten days I feel refreshed in the am and never ever feel tired during the day anymore. Happens a lot when I am bigger (250+).

Damn it... that sounds awful...
What causes ulcerative Colitis?

Obviously, your solution is the common sense thing to do. You really don´t have any other option. Haven´t you?

What dosage do you recommend and/or are you taking? I´ve done Universal´s ZMA for some time now but I don´t get the same effect you seem be experiencing...

[ChrisTuttle]

damn it... That sounds awful...
What causes ulcerative colitis?

Obviously, your solution is the common sense thing to do. You really don´t have any other option. Haven´t you?

What dosage do you recommend and/or are you taking? I´ve done universal´s zma for some time now but i don´t get the same effect you seem be experiencing...

there is no known cause. It is more common in jewish ancestry and in people under high stress. They really do not know why. It is an inflammatory disease.

There really is not any other option and i refuse to take all these meds they want me to take. I rather control it with diet and live as much as a stress free life as i can.

I do just 3 tabs 45 mins before bed time and 1.5 hours after last meal.

[TexasJim]

Sir,

I would highly recommend Chris' services. He is a true professional and great to work with. Okay, enough of the bromance.

What is your thoughts on Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin (HBCD) versus other high glycemic carb sources for intra workout?

[ChrisTuttle]

Sir,

I would highly recommend Chris' services. He is a true professional and great to work with. Okay, enough of the bromance.

What is your thoughts on Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin (HBCD) versus other high glycemic carb sources for intra workout?

Thanks bud!

Regarding types of carbs as you mentioned? Too keep it simple he have to find what works best for you. Personally I cannot tolerate HBCD. I crash in my workouts when using it for Intra and go hypo easy and it upsets my GI. I prefer matlodextrin. Something easy to digest but I bit slower. I have clean even energy and it does not dump into my small intestine too fast and cause issues. Again I do have ulcerative Colitis so it might be different for me. Dextrose I think is just a waste. Too much bloating in the belly to be taken intra workout. The body can only absorb and utilize about 1 carb per min so anything over 60g in a 60 min weight lifting workout for intra supplementation is silly.

I run 25-35g Carbo Plus intra and 60g post.

[TexasJim]

Thanks bud!

Regarding types of carbs as you mentioned? Too keep it simple he have to find what works best for you. Personally I cannot tolerate HBCD. I crash in my workouts when using it for Intra and go hypo easy and it upsets my GI. I prefer matlodextrin. Something easy to digest but I bit slower. I have clean even energy and it does not dump into my small intestine too fast and cause issues. Again I do have ulcerative Colitis so it might be different for me. Dextrose I think is just a waste. Too much bloating in the belly to be taken intra workout. The body can only absorb and utilize about 1 carb per min so anything over 60g in a 60 min weight lifting workout for intra supplementation is silly.

I run 25-35g Carbo Plus intra and 60g post.

Thank you for your reply. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

Are there plans for a third season of the The Tuttle Diaries?

[ChrisTuttle]

Thank you for your reply. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

Are there plans for a third season of the The Tuttle Diaries?

You are very welcome!

As far as I know there is!

[TexasJim]

In your opinion, are human growth hormone booster supplements beneficial for a non-enhanced athlete?

[ChrisTuttle]

In your opinion, are human growth hormone booster supplements beneficial for a non-enhanced athlete?

Personally I do not think the work enough to see a difference. However, if you are older than 30 years old then I think it would be worth a shot since GH is quite a bit lower at that age than early 20s!

[zanderkelley]

Hey Chris,

I've read a bunch of your videos and always try to read whatever I can from you because I think you are a great no-nonsense source for nutrition info. I have a question for you. I have been training for several years and have experimented with different diets. For my last cutting period I used carb cycling with 4 low carbs days, 2 medium, and 1 high. I am now transitioning into bulking phase which will be assisted with AAS use. I have not used AAS before, this will be my first cycle. I have done very well with this style of diet. I have maintained a lot of my strength and workouts have been pretty good even though I'm the leanest I have ever been. I decided to add in about 45g of carbs on my training days for the past two weeks and those few carbs have brought me noticeably more strength and energy in the gym.

So...for my questions...
Should I gradually reintroduce more carbs into my diet while keeping fats steady?
OR Should I work my way in to a more classic 40/40/20 style diet?

I am really looking to get the most out of my first cycle. Some may suggest getting on a 'see-food' kind of diet to maximize gains but I have tried that in the past (without AAS mind you) and it hasn't done much for me. I respond very well to carbs when my carb sensitivity is high but that goes out the window if I am just shoveling down carbs all day every day.

[npcdusty]

Chris you planning on being at the Arnold this year for the Cage and ABC?

[ChrisTuttle]

Hey Chris,

I've read a bunch of your videos and always try to read whatever I can from you because I think you are a great no-nonsense source for nutrition info. I have a question for you. I have been training for several years and have experimented with different diets. For my last cutting period I used carb cycling with 4 low carbs days, 2 medium, and 1 high. I am now transitioning into bulking phase which will be assisted with AAS use. I have not used AAS before, this will be my first cycle. I have done very well with this style of diet. I have maintained a lot of my strength and workouts have been pretty good even though I'm the leanest I have ever been. I decided to add in about 45g of carbs on my training days for the past two weeks and those few carbs have brought me noticeably more strength and energy in the gym.

So...for my questions...
Should I gradually reintroduce more carbs into my diet while keeping fats steady?
OR Should I work my way in to a more classic 40/40/20 style diet?

I am really looking to get the most out of my first cycle. Some may suggest getting on a 'see-food' kind of diet to maximize gains but I have tried that in the past (without AAS mind you) and it hasn't done much for me. I respond very well to carbs when my carb sensitivity is high but that goes out the window if I am just shoveling down carbs all day every day.

Thanks bud for your support. I would for sure add only more carbs gradually. This is provided your fats are at least 10g per meal. This is just basing it off of what you said. Without knowing height, weight, pics, and exact current diet hard to say 100%. Hope that helps!