What is a carb?
Carbs, short for carbohydrates, are one of the three main macronutrients (along with protein and fat) that provide your body with energy. They come in three forms:
- Sugars (like in fruit or candy)
- Starches (like in bread, rice, and potatoes)
- Fiber (found in veggies, whole grains, and beans)
How do I identify if a food is a carb/identify a carb on a nutrition label?
Look at the “Total Carbohydrates” section on the label — it’s usually listed in grams. Underneath, you’ll often see fiber, sugars, and sometimes added sugars broken down. When looking at the label avoid added sugars. Those are the foods that typically are going to take you in the wrong direction.
Pro tip: Foods like bread, pasta, rice, fruit, and beans are obvious carb sources, but so are less obvious ones like yogurt, sauces, and even some vegetables like carrots or beets.
I thought carbs were bad and would make me gain weight. Why are you telling me to eat them?
Carbs aren’t the enemy — excess calories are what cause weight gain, not carbs specifically. The key is balance. Carbs fuel your body and brain. Cutting them out completely can leave you feeling tired, foggy, and sluggish. The goal isn’t to eliminate carbs but to choose the right kinds and eat them in the right amounts.
Why are carbs important/necessary?
Carbs are your body’s main energy source. When you eat them:
- Your body breaks them down into glucose (sugar), which fuels your cells.
- Your brain relies almost entirely on carbs to function properly.
- Carbs help support workouts by providing quick energy, especially for higher-intensity exercise.
Without enough carbs, you might experience fatigue, poor concentration, and even mood swings.
What about bread?
Bread isn’t “bad” — it’s about which kind and how much. Whole grain or sprouted breads provide fiber, vitamins, and more lasting energy. Refined white bread, on the other hand, digests quickly, causing blood sugar spikes.
Tip: Breads in general, are easy to overconsume and high in calories, and we usually start adding things to them like peanut butter, jelly or other toppings. Sprouted grains or not they can trigger overconsumption. Our clients see best results when they stick to the starches listed on the grocery list for the duration of their treatment plan.
Are there bad carbs vs. good carbs? What’s the difference?
It’s better to think of carbs on a spectrum rather than “good” vs. “bad”:
Nutrient-dense carbs (whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans) provide energy plus fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Refined carbs (white bread, sugary snacks, soda) have been stripped of nutrients and fiber, so they digest quickly, causing blood sugar spikes and crashes.
The goal: more whole, slow-digesting carbs and fewer processed, fast-digesting ones.
How many carbs should I eat?
It depends on your goals, activity level, and metabolism. Generally:
- Active individuals may need more carbs to fuel workouts (45–65% of daily calories).
- Those focusing on weight loss might aim for moderate carbs, ensuring they prioritize fiber-rich options (35–50% of daily calories).
- We recommend out invisaRED clients aim for 40% of their daily calories from carbs.
What does this look like in the kitchen? Shoot for 100-150 grams of rice or potatoes per meal. We prefer measuring. All of us tend to be pretty bad at estimates. When in doubt, refer back to your grocery list and meal plan.