Fat carb data field question

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What does the color coding of the data field mean? On a mixed endurance tempo ride. I noticed that the fat number was mainly red. I can’t find anything on what that means.

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Fat and Carbs - Xert | Garmin Connect IQ

Here’s the complete data field list with descriptions –
Connect IQ Store | Free Watch Faces and Apps | Garmin

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Sorry for reviving old question. But I feel amending old topic is better than creating a new one with the same question.

I find it hard to find more detailed information about Fat & Carbs data field. On the link above there is only following info:

  • Fat rate / grams is highlighted in red when you’re working at your highest fat burning rate.
  • Carb rate / grams is highlighted in red when above threshold.

But this is not informative enough. My questions:

  1. “Carb rate is red when above threshold.” Above what threshold?

  2. What does it mean that it is above threshold? Is it good or bad?

The Garmin datafield page should be amended with clarification about the threshold.

I also found this chart Track Fat and Carb Utilization – Xert, but it seems strange that both axes x,y are in watts. I would expect the y axis should be the oxidation rate.

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Have you seen this long winded discussion? :slight_smile:

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Thanks for the link, I was not aware of this topic. I understand now, that the y axis is sum of fat and carbs. But the main question is about the data fields. What does it mean when carbs are red? What is the mentioned threshold? Layman explanation please.

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Thanks Michal - these docs could probably use some more clarification.

Above Threshold Power, carbohydrate usage increases significantly, which is when the CARBS part of the Fat/Carbs data field glows red.

This is why supplementing rides, particularly high-intensity ones, with carbohydrates is crucial. Without adequate carb intake to maintain blood glucose levels, the body rapidly depletes muscle glycogen stores, leading to the dreaded “bonk.”

If it’s useful to you, I personally prefer the Fat/Carbs data being displayed in g (and g/hr)… I have these options enabled in the Xert Dashboard data field.This helps me ensure that I’m fueling appropriately for my rides - you’ll get a feel over time for how many g carbs you burn for certain types of rides. I typically aim to take 30-45g/hr for shorter endurance rides (<2 hrs) and 60-76g/hr for high intensity rides. As I “train” my gut (and hopefully get stronger), I plan to increase my carb intake to higher rates.

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Where do i see those numbers. I have enabled them in my profile settings, but I can’t see them anywhere.

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I believe he means the Garmin ConnectIQ app Connect IQ Store | Watch Faces and Apps | Garmin

If you go to settings for the Xert Dashboard (in Garmin ConnectIQ android app choose Xert Dashboard, Settings) you can modify visible datafields.

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Going back to the question of color coding. Here is my layman’s understanding.

The fat is red when we are around LTP and when the fat burning is most effective. If doing endurance ride or trying to lose fat, keep the effort so that the fat is in red.

The carbs are red when we are above FTP (the mentioned threshold). It means predominantly the carbs are burned, with almost no fat. Regardless of carbs color, try to refuel the burned amount of carbs periodically during the ride, unless the ride is short.

I wish this simple explanation was available on the datafield web page.

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Ah, okay, thank you very much. I can set up this field as a second one next to magic buckets on my edge 540.