Carbohydrates
Shop our range of carbohydrate supplements and snacks — from hard-hitting energy gels to delicious oat-based bars, we’ve got something to keep you fuelled.
Shop Carbohydrates at Myprotein
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred fuel source — and getting enough of them, in the right forms, at the right times, makes a real difference to how you train and how you feel. The carb supplement range here covers everything from fast-absorbing options for during training to complex, slow-release sources for sustained fuelling across the day. Whether you're loading up before a session, mid-workout, or topping up glycogen stores afterwards, there's a format to fit every goal and schedule.
The range spans powders, gels, oats, flapjacks, and more — giving you serious variety across textures, tastes, and carbohydrate sources. From 100% Instant Oats to cyclic dextrin-based intra-workout formulas, these are all practical, stackable options designed with training in mind.
Who Carbohydrates Are For
Carb supplements are built for anyone with consistent training demands — endurance athletes, strength trainers, team sport players, and those in physically demanding jobs all have higher carbohydrate requirements than the general population. If you're training multiple times a week and finding it hard to hit your carb targets through food alone, a dedicated carbohydrate supplement makes closing that gap a lot more convenient.
They're also well-suited to anyone who needs precise, predictable carbohydrate intake — for example, those following structured periodisation plans or carb-cycling protocols. When you need to know exactly how many grams you're consuming, a measured scoop of maltodextrin or a purpose-formulated carb gel is a much cleaner option than estimating from a bowl of rice.
When to Use Carbohydrates
Timing matters with carbohydrates. Fast-absorbing sources — like cyclic dextrin, maltodextrin, and carbohydrate gels — are best suited to the period around and during training, when rapid availability is the priority. Carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function1 and are a key fuel substrate during exercise, making them a practical addition to any intra- or pre-workout routine. Carb gels are a compact, easy-to-carry option for longer sessions or events where eating isn't practical.
Slower-releasing carbohydrate sources — oats, cream of rice, flapjacks, and oat-based products — are better placed earlier in the day or as a pre-training meal a few hours out. These provide a steadier supply of fuel without a rapid spike and are easy to work into breakfast or a pre-session meal. Post-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 muscle2.
Carbohydrates Benefits
A Range of Formats for Every Training Context
From oat-based whole foods to ultra-concentrated powders and portable gels, the range covers every situation. A flapjack or protein oatbake works well as a pre-training snack on the go. A maltodextrin or cyclic dextrin powder mixes cleanly into a shake. A carbohydrate gel fits in a back pocket during a long run or cycle. Having the right format available means you're not compromising on fuelling because of logistics.
Precision Dosing Without the Guesswork
When carbohydrate intake is part of a structured plan, consistency is everything. Carb supplements give you a fixed, measurable amount of carbohydrates per serving — no estimation, no variability. Products like 100% Maltodextrin Carbs and cyclic dextrin formulas make it straightforward to hit specific gram targets without having to weigh and calculate whole foods every time.
Whole Food-Style Options That Stack with Your Diet
Not every carb source has to be a powder. Oat-based products like Protein Oats, 100% Rolled Oats, and Cream of Rice bring familiar, food-style formats into a supplement context — delivering complex carbohydrates alongside fibre and, in many cases, protein. These sit comfortably as everyday meals or snacks, not just training-specific products.
Fuelling for Performance and Endurance
Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise3, and carbohydrate solutions contribute to the improvement of physical performance during high-intensity and long-lasting physical exercise in trained adults4. Products in this range that combine carbohydrates with electrolytes — such as THE Electrofuel HYROX and THE Energy Gel — are built with exactly this in mind.
Popular Picks
Origin Intra-Workout — Built for training sessions that demand both fuel and amino acids, Origin Intra-Workout delivers 30g of fast-absorbing cyclic dextrin alongside 9g of essential amino acids — including BCAAs in a 4:1:1 ratio — and magnesium, which contributes to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue.
Origin Cream of Rice — Origin Cream of Rice is a vegan-friendly breakfast option that packs 39g of complex carbs into every serving, making it a straightforward way to hit your carbohydrate targets in the morning.
Oat Protein Flapjack — If you want a convenient, flavour-forward snack that doesn't compromise on protein, the Oat Protein Flapjack delivers 20g of protein per bar across three flavours, with protein contributing to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
FAQs
What is a carb supplement?
A carb supplement is a concentrated source of carbohydrates — typically in powder, gel, or food format — designed to make hitting daily carbohydrate targets more convenient. Rather than relying entirely on whole foods, a carb supplement delivers a precise, measurable gram count per serving. They range from fast-absorbing options like maltodextrin and cyclic dextrin to slower-releasing whole food formats like oats and cream of rice.
What carb supplements are available at Myprotein?
The range includes 18 products spanning multiple formats — powders, gels, oat-based foods, flapjacks, pancake mixes, and mug cake mixes. You'll find straight carbohydrate powders like 100% Maltodextrin Carbs and 100% Instant Oats alongside more complex formulas like Origin Intra-Workout, which combines 30g of cyclic dextrin with 9g of essential amino acids. There are also mass gainer options, electrolyte-carbohydrate powders for endurance, and convenient snack formats for on-the-go fuelling.
What's the difference between fast and slow carbohydrates?
Fast-absorbing carbohydrates — like maltodextrin, cyclic dextrin, and the simple sugars found in energy gels — are digested and absorbed quickly, making them well-suited to use during or immediately around training. Slower-releasing carbohydrates — like oats, cream of rice, and oat-based products — take longer to digest, providing a more gradual supply of fuel. Many athletes use both types strategically: slower sources earlier in the day, faster ones closer to or during sessions.
When should I take a carb supplement?
Timing depends on the format. Fast-absorbing powders and gels are most commonly used during or immediately before training. Carbohydrates contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function1 and, as an exercise fuel substrate, are particularly relevant around sessions. Post-exercise, 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 stores2. Oat-based products work well as a meal a few hours before training or as a convenient breakfast.
Can I use a carb supplement for endurance training?
Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise3 and enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise5. Products like THE Electrofuel HYROX and THE Energy Gel are formulated with endurance in mind, combining carbohydrates with electrolytes in a portable, easy-to-consume format. These are practical options for long runs, cycling events, HYROX-style training, or any sustained high-output session.
What's the difference between a carb supplement and a mass gainer?
A straight carbohydrate supplement — like 100% Maltodextrin Carbs — delivers carbohydrates with minimal protein or fat. A mass gainer, such as Impact Whey Mass Gainer or Clear Whey Mass Gainer, combines a high carbohydrate content with a significant protein contribution, with protein contributing to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass6. Mass gainers are built for overall calorie and macronutrient intake, while standalone carb supplements give you more flexibility to adjust carbohydrates independently from the rest of your diet.
Which carb supplement would you recommend for during training?
Origin Intra-Workout is a strong choice for use during training. It delivers 30g of cyclic dextrin — a fast-absorbing carbohydrate source — alongside 9g of essential amino acids, including BCAAs in a 4:1:1 ratio. Cyclic dextrin is valued by athletes for its rapid gastric emptying rate, making it a practical mid-session option without the heaviness of larger whole food carb sources.
Are the carbohydrate products suitable for everyday meals?
Several products in the range are designed to work as everyday meals, not just training-specific supplements. Origin Cream of Rice delivers 39g of complex carbohydrates per serving and makes a quick, easy breakfast. 100% Rolled Oats, 100% Instant Oats, and Protein Oats all slot naturally into a daily eating routine. Oat Protein Flapjacks and Protein Oatbakes work well as convenient snacks throughout the day.
Who developed these carbohydrate products?
The carbohydrate range has been developed by Myprotein's expert nutritionists, drawing on ingredient research and the practical fuelling needs of athletes across different sports and training styles. The formulations are designed to cover the full spectrum of carbohydrate requirements — from everyday whole food sources through to fast-acting performance formats.
How do I choose between different carbohydrate sources?
The right carbohydrate source depends on when you're using it and what else is in your diet. For structured, precise carb loading, a powder like maltodextrin or cyclic dextrin gives you clean, measurable grams. For everyday meals that happen to be carbohydrate-rich, oat-based products are the most versatile. For training sessions or events requiring portability, carbohydrate gels are the most practical. Most athletes end up using a mix of formats across different situations rather than relying on a single product.
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. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise.
6. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.