Zone 2 Training & Fat as Fuel: Should You Eat More Fat to Perform Better?

Zone 2 training is often labeled as “fat burning,” but what does that actually mean in real-world performance? Should athletes, hunters, and endurance enthusiasts be eating more fat during long efforts? Or is the body primarily relying on stored energy systems regardless of what you eat?

In this episode of the Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast, we break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in endurance nutrition: fat as fuel. We explore whether the body is using dietary fat or stored body fat during low-intensity exercise, how carbohydrates still play a critical role, and why it’s never as simple as “fat vs carbs.”

You’ll learn how energy systems actually interact during Zone 2 training, multi-day efforts, and long-duration mountain objectives—and why relying on a single fuel source can limit performance.

If you’ve ever wondered how to properly fuel Zone 2 training, ultras, backcountry hunts, or long mountain days, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

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In this episode:

What “fat as fuel” actually means in Zone 2 training

The difference between stored body fat and dietary fat

How the body actually breaks down and uses fat for energy

Why fat and carbohydrates are always used together (not separately)

The role of intramuscular triglycerides in endurance performance