Feel Good Energy Series – Part 2: Carbs Without Chaos: Fine-Tuning for Your Body

Let’s Talk About Carbs (And Why They’re Not the Enemy)

Look, I get it – the internet has turned carbs into the wellness world’s biggest villain since gluten. But here’s the truth: demonizing an entire macronutrient is so 2010. Let’s get real about what actually works, backed by science (because we’re not about that Pinterest nutrition life).

The Low-Carb Reality Check

Quick PSA: Going low-carb isn’t the answer for everyone, and I’ll die on that hill. Sure, it has its place (looking at you, insulin resistance & Type 2 diabetes management), but for most of us? It’s unnecessary at best and counterproductive at worst, especially for women juggling approximately 47 responsibilities on any given day.

True story: During my post-grad hustle, I thought I’d “hack” my health by going ultra-low-carb (under 60g daily – and yes, I counted every. single. berry.). Plot twist: While it worked initially, my energy crashed harder than the 2008 housing market. The real game-changer? Getting a Continuous Glucose Monitor (aka my personal science experiment). Turns out rice and I aren’t BFFs, but other complex carbs? We’re cool.

Finding Your Carb Sweet Spot

Instead of following random TikTok advice, let’s get strategic about this.

Reality Check Your Activity Level

Running between meetings + hitting the gym = Your body needs those carbs
Desk life + Netflix marathons = Maybe dial it back

Daily Demands Assessment

Managing a team/family/life
Need to be “on” for 12+ hours
Actually wanting to have energy after 3 PM

Making It Work (Without Losing Your Mind)

High-Activity Days (aka when you’re crushing it):

Pre-workout fuel that actually works
Recovery meals that don’t taste like sadness
Strategic timing because who has time for afternoon crashes?

Lower-Activity Days (hello, desk life):

Keep your blood sugar more stable than your work-life balance
Swap the usual suspects for better options
Hit those 6,000 steps (science says it helps, and your Apple Watch will finally stop judging you)

Your Game Plan

Get Real With Yourself

Where are your carbs actually coming from? (No judgment on the secret candy drawer)
When’s your energy tanking?
What’s actually working?

Level Up Your Strategy

Hunt down those sneaky hidden sugars
Time your carbs like a boss
Track what matters (without obsessing)

Make It Sustainable

Create routines that don’t make you want to cry
Build in reality checks
Set goals that work with real life

What’s Next?

You’ve already got this – seriously. You run your career/life/probably several group chats like a pro. This is just about applying those same skills to your nutrition.

Here’s the thing about your 40s that no one talks about enough: your blood sugar balance becomes your hormone balance’s BFF. Those perimenopausal symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere? (Hello, random midnight sweats and afternoon energy crashes!) They’re actually closely connected to how your body handles glucose. When your blood sugar is doing the cha-cha slide all day, your hormones join the chaotic dance party – and not in a fun way.

Next time, we’ll break down how to structure your day for actual sustainable energy (not just the kind that comes in a can), and how to set yourself up for hormone harmony instead of hormone havoc. Because managing your blood sugar isn’t just about energy – it’s about giving your body the stability it needs during these “fun” hormonal transitions. Think of it as your insurance policy against perimenopause drama.

Remember: This isn’t about becoming dependent on some “diet” or magic protocol. It’s about having the intel to make choices that work for your real life, not someone’s Instagram fantasy.

Bottom line? Carbs aren’t the enemy. Neither is your schedule. And your hormones? They’re just asking for a little more attention these days. Let’s work with all of it.