The Low-Carb Lifestyle: How to Do It & Why It’s a Game-Changer for Your Body and Mind
If you’ve ever struggled with stubborn weight gain, low energy, or brain fog, you’ve probably wondered if there’s a better way to eat—one that actually works with your body instead of against it. Enter the low-carb diet, a way of eating that has transformed the health of countless people, including mine!
You’ve probably heard about keto, Atkins, or just general low-carb eating. It was all the rage a few years ago, and it seemed everyone was jumping on the bandwagon, and just as quickly jumping off. Now they have moved onto the GLP-1 train. That was unfortunate, because eating low carb is not just a fad. It’s a way of eating that has changed the lives and health of millions of people. Eating a well formulated low carb diet will not just help you lose weight, but it will make you feel better too. Let’s break it down.
What Is a Low-Carb Diet?
A low-carb diet focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing those calories with healthy fats and proteins. Instead of fueling your body with quick-burning carbs (like bread, pasta, and sugar), you train it to burn fat for energy instead.
There are different ways to approach low-carb eating: ✔ Moderate low-carb (50–100g carbs/day): Great for general health, weight maintenance, and balanced energy levels. ✔ Low-carb (20–50g carbs/day): Ideal for weight loss, reducing insulin resistance, and balancing hormones. ✔ Keto (under 20g carbs/day): A more extreme version that puts your body into ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel.
The key is finding what works best for you and your body!
The Benefits of a Low-Carb Diet
1️⃣ Weight Loss Without Starving Yourself
When you eat fewer carbs, your insulin levels drop. This signals your body to burn stored fat instead of storing more. Plus, healthy fats and protein keep you full longer, so you naturally eat less without feeling deprived. This is the only diet I find that I can sustain because I’m not starving all the time. I’ve learned the hard way that unless your way of eating is sustainable, you won’t be successful for the long haul.
2️⃣ Balanced Blood Sugar & Insulin Levels
One of the biggest reasons people struggle to lose weight is insulin resistance—when your cells stop responding to insulin properly, leading to weight gain and cravings. Reducing carbs helps regulate blood sugar, making weight loss easier and more sustainable. Many women in midlife suddenly find themselves dealing with belly fat and weight loss resistance. Insulin resistance is often the culprit. When our estrogen and progesterone start to change, it affects insulin as well. And did you know that when you cut back on carbs, blood sugar levels stabilize, reducing the demand for high insulin production. Stable blood sugar helps improve the body's ability to release GLP-1 naturally. No need for those expensive shots!
3️⃣ More Energy & Less Brain Fog
Ever feel like you need a nap after lunch? That’s a blood sugar crash. A low-carb diet helps stabilize your energy levels throughout the day, giving you steady, focused energy without the afternoon slump. This is otally me!! If I eat carbs for lunch, even just a simple, small sandwich, I’m ready for a nap by 2pm. Once I switched to eating low carb this never happens anymore, and I have consistent energy all day.
4️⃣ Better Mental Health & Mood Stability
This one’s huge! What you eat directly affects your brain and mood. Low-carb eating: ✔ Supports brain function and reduces inflammation, which is linked to anxiety and depression. ✔ Stabilizes blood sugar, preventing mood swings. ✔ Lowers cortisol (your stress hormone), helping you feel calmer and more in control. Again, many women in midlife struggle with mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Eating this way can help tremendously!
5️⃣ Gut Health & Reduced Cravings
A low-carb diet naturally reduces sugar intake, which starves bad gut bacteria and supports a healthier microbiome. A balanced gut leads to fewer cravings, better digestion, and who doesn’t want less bloating!
How to Get Started on a Low-Carb Diet
1️⃣ Cut Out Processed Carbs & Sugar
Start by eliminating bread, pasta, rice, and sugary snacks. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods instead.
2️⃣ Load Up on Healthy Fats & Protein
Eat plenty of eggs, meat, fish, nuts, seeds, avocados, and healthy oils (like olive and coconut oil). These keep you full and energized.
3️⃣ Eat Non-Starchy Veggies
Leafy greens, peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and cauliflower are all great low-carb options. Avoid vegetables like corn, and potatoes.
4️⃣ Stay Hydrated & Support Electrolytes
When you cut carbs, your body flushes out extra water. Drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes (salt, magnesium, and potassium) to avoid feeling sluggish. These electrolytes have everything you need, plus they taste delicious.
5️⃣ Give It Time & Listen to Your Body
The first few days can be an adjustment as your body adapts, but once you get through it, you’ll feel better than ever! Drinking electrolytes really helps, especially at this stage.
My Experience with Low-Carb Eating
I’ve struggled with my weight, and insulin resistance for many years. This year was particularly difficult because of more weight gain due to medication. Exercise wasn’t an option for me for almost a year, so I focused on nutrition.
Switching to a low-carb diet helped me balance my insulin, improved my gut health, and stabilized my energy levels. I feel more in control of my cravings, my mood improved, and I’m not constantly battling hunger like I did on traditional diets.
If you’ve been struggling with weight, energy, or mood swings, I encourage you to give it a try. You don’t have to go all-in overnight—just start by cutting out sugar and processed carbs, and see how your body responds!
Ready to Feel Better?
Low-carb eating isn’t just about weight loss—it’s about giving your body what it actually needs to function at its best.
If you’re thinking about trying it, or if you have questions, send me a message! I’ll be sharing more tips about how living a low carb lifestyle, so make sure you come back and visit again soon.
