Why You Don’t Need to Break Up with Carbs
OK, I have a confession to make. I once believed that cutting carbs was the key to “getting back on track” and that weight loss wasn't possible any other way.
After all, it’s what we’re told over and over again, right? Eat less. Cut carbs. Go low-fat. Power through the cravings.
So that's the advice I followed - for years - even after becoming certified as a holistic nutritionist. (Hey, some of us are late bloomers, OK?!)
When I first started working with my coach and she asked me to start incorporating a serving of carbs at every meal, I thought she had completely lost it. I rebelled. I refused.
"Carbs make me feel awful and gain weight!" I told her.
She listened patiently, then asked that question no client likes to hear:
"So how's that working for you?"
Womp, womp...
After some discussion (and dramatic eye-rolling on my part), I agreed to try. Mostly because I had nothing to lose - except, perhaps, the satisfaction of proving her wrong. . I mean, I'm the exception to the rule, right? My mom always said I was special. 🤦🏻♀️
But before I jumped in, we had a real discussion about what "carbs" actually are - and what a serving of carbs looks like.
Cue enlightenment.
See, when most people hear "carbs," they picture baskets of bread, platters of pasta, and piles of potatoes. Maybe even a pastry or two. And yes, those are carbs. But so are fruits. Vegetables. Legumes. Whole grains.
In fact, most things are. Carbs are just molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen - aka living things. According to Britannica.com:
...Carbohydrates are probably the most abundant and widespread organic substances in nature and are essential constituents of all living things.
So yes, you need them. Not in Cinnabon quantities, perhaps. But eliminating them entirely? That's not healthy, it's harmful.
Looking back, it's no wonder I spent so many years feeling tired, foggy, moody, and constantly craving sugar. That's what happens when you try to "quit" carbs.
It's not a willpower problem.
It's a fuel problem.
I started experimenting...carefully. I added whole carbs to my meals—things like sweet potatoes, quinoa, buckwheat, and fruit.
I balanced them with enough protein and healthy fats. I kept the portions moderate. And guess what?
Everything changed.
My energy returned
I could focus again
My night-time cravings for sweets disappeared
I slept better
And I started enjoying food again, without guilt
The key was quality, balance, and paying attention to how I felt, before, during and after eating carbs rather than trying to follow arbitrary "rules."
If you're ready for your own experiment, here are a few important things to know:
Choose carbs in their closest-to-nature form - full if fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Think squashes, lentils, whole grains, and fruit.
A serving? It's what fits into your cupped hand. Yes, really.
Pair carbs with protein and healthy fats to stabilise blood sugar.
Eat slowly and mindfully - you'll naturally eat less and still feel satisfied.
Pay attention: How do you feel before, during, and after? Tired, achy, or extra hungry after a meal? That's your body talking to you.
And remember, this isn't about perfection. It's about staying curious. It's about small steps. It's about progress over perfection.
I'm so grateful I had a coach to guide me through it. Someone to remind me that I wasn't a "failure" for eating 6 M&Ms, or for being confused about what a portion of raisins looked like.
And now I get to be that coach for other women navigating these same questions.
Because the truth is:
You don’t need to fear carbs—you need to understand them.
Smart carbs support your brain, mood, sleep, and hormones - especially after 40.
Carbs aren't the enemy. Diet culture is.
If you’ve been:
Feeling low on energy, even after a “healthy” meal
Avoiding bread, rice, or pasta but still not losing weight
Craving sweets at night
…it's time to try something different.
We’ll be diving deeper into nutrition in our free workshop:
The 4 Common Menopause Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
📅 April 30 | 💻 Online | 🎁 Win 3 months of free coaching (live attendees only!)
✨ Click here to save your spot
This isn’t about dieting harder. It’s about fuelling smarter.
See you there.
