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Not All Carbs Are the Enemy — Especially These

  • Writer: Camila Vieira
    Camila Vieira
  • Jun 7, 2025
  • 2 min read

In the world of hormones, fat loss, and performance, carbs often get demonized. But let’s be real — not all carbs are created equal.

Some spike your blood sugar like a firework.Others show up late, take their time, and actually help your body stay balanced.

Today we’re talking about the slow, steady, supportive kind — the ones that release glucose gradually and don’t leave you on a blood sugar rollercoaster.


Why Slow-Digesting Carbs Matter — Especially for Women


Slow carbs (also known as low glycemic or complex carbs) digest more slowly, providing a steady stream of glucose. That means:

  • Fewer blood sugar spikes and crashes

  • Less cortisol disruption

  • Better insulin sensitivity

  • Reduced cravings

  • More stable energy

  • Support for fat loss and hormonal balance, especially in women dealing with:

    • Insulin resistance

    • Fatigue

    • PCOS

    • Perimenopause/menopause


Examples of Slow-Digesting Carbs:


  • Sweet potatoes

  • Lentils

  • Chickpeas

  • Black beans

  • Steel-cut oats

  • Quinoa

  • Brown rice (especially cooled)

  • Buckwheat

  • Cooked and cooled potatoes (resistant starch)

  • Butternut squash

  • Plantains

  • Green bananas or banana flour

  • Whole rolled oats (not instant)

These foods fuel your metabolism without triggering chaos, and help you burn fat more efficiently over time.



Gut Sensitivity? Read This First.


Here’s where it gets tricky. Some of the best slow carbs — lentils, beans, oats — can wreak havoc if your gut isn’t ready.

If you bloat easily or have IBS, SIBO, or sluggish digestion:

  • Soak legumes overnight

  • Cook them well (pressure cooker works wonders)

  • Cool and reheat for more resistant starch

  • Test slowly — don’t throw 3 new foods in at once

Your gut will tell you what’s working (or not). Trust symptoms over trends.



Pro Tip: Always Pair Slow Carbs with Protein + Fiber


Why? Because:

  • Protein blunts the glucose response

  • Fiber slows absorption further

  • Together, they help your body use carbs effectively — for energy, not storage

Bonus: you’ll stay full longer, reduce cravings, and support better leptin, insulin, and cortisol signaling.


Menopausal Warriors — Let’s Talk


Which carbs work best for you?Which ones bloat you up or mess with your energy?

Drop a comment. I love hearing what your body is telling you — and so do other women navigating the same phase.



Ready to Stop Guessing What Works for Your Body?


If you're tired of following cookie-cutter plans and getting cookie-cutter results…

I help women fix their hormones, balance insulin, and finally feel in control again.

Want to work with me 1:1 or learn how to train, eat, and recover according to your real biology?Click here to learn more.


 
 
 

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