Are Carbs Bad for You?

“I just stopped eating bread and the weight fell off.”
“Oh no thanks, that’s too many carbs.”
“Avoid the carbs sweetie, just get the salad.”

Somewhere along the line, carbs became the villain. We stopped trusting them, cut ties, and treated them like the ex we swore we’d never text again. The power of media and social messaging is honestly wild. Low-carb or no-carb diets have been pushed for years, especially to women and young girls. Whether it’s the cover of a magazine at the grocery store or a casual conversation at dinner, carbs rarely get the love they deserve.

I used to believe the narrative too. For a long time, I thought carbs were the problem. But once I started learning about nutrition, and spending more time around adult athletes, that I realized carbs weren’t the enemy. They were actually the missing piece.

In my early wellness days, I struggled with digestion and avoided certain carbs like bread or anything with gluten. At the time, I didn’t think I needed them anyway. Turns out… I did. As I started to heal and get more intentional about how I fueled my body, I worked hard to bring carbs back into my routine in a way that supported my gut and made me feel good. And wow, what a difference.

I’m all about balance. I believe in making room for all kinds of foods, without restriction (okay, maybe let’s keep the trans fats to a zero). For the average, healthy person, carbs are essential. They’re our body’s main source of energy, and beyond that—they make life more enjoyable.

So what kind of carbs are we talking about? Focus on getting a variety of complex carbs from whole, nourishing sources. Think sweet potatoes, brown rice, oats, whole grain pasta, rye bread, bananas, and lots of fruits and veggies. These are the foods that fuel us, help us perform well, and keep us feeling strong.

This is a lifestyle, not a short-term fix. Balance means making conscious, supportive choices every day, and understanding that cutting out an entire food group usually leads to burnout or compensation habits. Carbs aren’t something to fear, they’re something to understand, appreciate, and enjoy.

If you’re looking for something more structured, my 14-Day Feel-Good Meal Plan is a great place to start. It’s full of simple, whole-food meals designed to make you feel your best without restriction.