The Truth About Carbs: Stop the War Against Your Best Fuel

This post was originally written in 2015 and has been updated and republished under the site's new Blog. This is general knowledge shared for informational purposes only and not meant to be used as a tool for diagnosing health conditions. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a Registered Dietician before making any major dietary changes.

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Walking through the hallways of a gym or standing in locker rooms across America, it’s nearly impossible not to overhear conversations about the elusive carb-cutting craze. Unfortunately, too many have adopted the belief that carbohydrates are the enemy—an obstacle preventing them from reaching their fitness goals.

Let’s change the narrative with a new mantra: “Simple and complex carbohydrates keep me running. Processed carbohydrates and sugars in moderation.”

At first, this might sound counterintuitive. After all, food is composed of macronutrients—carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. But for years, people have been told that carbs are the villain behind America’s growing waistline. Entire diet programs revolve around their elimination. Countless "carb-free" recipes flood the internet—often substituting real food with chemically engineered sugars.

Carbs have been demonized, labeled as the big-baddie, the arch-enemy of macronutrients. Through extreme dieting trends, Americans have unfairly ostracized carbohydrates, creating a deeply ingrained fear of consuming them. Take CrossFit, for example. Many in this community passionately advocate for the Paleo diet, which insists grains should be eliminated in favor of what our caveman ancestors ate.

Well, cavemen also lived in—you guessed it—caves, and were amazed by fire.

Sure, human physiology hasn’t drastically evolved since their time, but you know what has? Our brains. We now have a much deeper understanding of nutrition, biology, and human performance. We shouldn’t be basing our dietary choices on prehistoric lifestyles when we have access to the science that explains what truly fuels us best.

Should we be eating loads of processed foods lacking in nutritional benefits? Probably not. Should we rely solely on supplements for essential nutrients? Also no. But eliminating grains altogether? That needs to stop! Humans have been eating grains for thousands of years. The phrase breaking bread dates back to biblical times. If grains helped sustain civilization for this long, why the sudden urge to erase them from our diets?

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Carbs: Your Brain and Body’s Preferred Fuel

Ryan Gosling's character in 2024's, The Fall Guy, sums it up beautifully during an exasperated monologue: "You need CARBS! Your brain runs on Glucose!"

Carbohydrates power half of your body’s energy systems. Your brain runs on carbs! Without glucose (stored as glycogen), your brain doesn’t function properly. And if your brain is running on empty, your workouts won’t be effective—no matter how hard you train. Without adequate glycogen, physiological changes won’t occur, meaning your effort in the gym could be a complete waste of time. Worse yet, improper fueling forces your body to work harder to recover, slowing down progress rather than accelerating it.

Moral of the story: Your brain needs and loves carbs—don’t deny it what it needs!

Now, the real question: What are the right carbs, and which ones should you consume in moderation?

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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Carbs

It’s easier to pinpoint what carbohydrates should be monitored rather than listing every good option. So let’s start with what to moderate:

⚠️ Processed carbs – These are stripped of nutrients and replaced with preservatives that extend shelf life rather than nourishing your body.

⚠️ Sugar-laden foods – While your brain loves glucose, your body doesn’t love added sugars. Be mindful of foods high in refined sugar and lacking fiber.

⚠️ Artificial “carb-free” alternatives – Many so-called “low-carb” or “carb-free” products are filled with chemically engineered sugars that do more harm than good.

Now, onto the good stuff!

✅ Whole, organic carbohydrates – Think whole grains, unprocessed wheat, flaxseed, fruits, and vegetables.

✅ Complex carbs and grains – Your friends, not foes! These provide sustained energy and essential nutrients.

✅ Fruits and veggies – Designed by nature to supply slow-digesting, natural sugars that fuel your body efficiently rather than being stored as fat.

Why Should You Care?

Because knowledge is power. The better you understand how your body functions, the easier it becomes to work with it instead of fighting against it. If you know how carbohydrates fuel your body, you’ll make smarter dietary choices rather than blindly following trendy, restrictive diets.

The hardest part of achieving fitness goals isn’t the work itself—it’s having the right roadmap to success. When you start with a solid foundation of knowledge, the journey becomes clearer. Instead of dreading the struggle, you’ll embrace it, knowing you’re working smarter, not just harder.

Where Do You Start?

Start small. The best way to assess your eating habits is by tracking them. For one week, keep a simple food journal—don’t worry about calories or macros, just write down what you eat. Then, review it. Circle the unhelpful carbs. Your first step?

Reduce your consumption of these by 30%—OR—replace 30% with healthier options.

This is where we introduce your mantra for success:

🔄 Reduce. Replace. Replicate.

Gradually replace non-nutritious choices with healthier ones—one or two swaps per week. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your new eating habits. Slow, steady, and consistent changes create lasting results.

And if you ever get lost along the way? That’s what I’m here for—to guide, educate, and give you the motivation you need to make informed, empowered decisions about your fitness and health.

Now, go eat some carbs and fuel that brain! 🚀