Let’s talk about carbs ... not because you need to cut them, but because how much and when you include them can make or break your energy, cravings, mood, and metabolism.
Most of the women I work with feel better, stronger, and more in control once they figure out their personal carb sweet spot. And spoiler: it’s usually not “as little as possible.” But it IS often more than the low carb people are used to and less than the Standard American Diet people are used to.
When you eat meals that are too carb-heavy -- especially fast-digesting ones without enough protein, fat, or fiber to anchor them -- you spike your blood sugar fast. Then your body releases insulin to shuttle that sugar into your cells. But if it overshoots (which happens often), your blood sugar drops hard. And suddenly you’re exhausted, cranky, and craving more food… even if you just ate. That crash is what pulls you back to the pantry again and again.
When undereating carbs becomes your whole personality, you run the risk of energy crashes, hunger and fullness cues getting wonky, thyroid slowing down, sleep thrown off and worsened moods and anxiety.
So ... Goldilocks.
Most women feel best starting with around 25–35 grams of net carbs per meal (that’s total carbs minus fiber). It’s not about precision or counting everything. It’s about balance and just being informed about how to put together balanced meals without obsession.
Here’s what that might look like in real food:
1 medium sweet potato
1/2 - 3/4 cup cooked rice or quinoa
2 small corn tortillas
¾ cup cooked lentils or beans
1 banana or a small apple + some squash
2 slices of sourdough
1 cup cooked, unsweetened oatmeal
A protein smoothie that includes 1 cup fruit
Some women do best with carbs at two meals a day instead of three -- especially during fat loss phases, post-menopausal or if they’re more sedentary or insulin resistant. Others need more if they’re lifting heavy, nursing, or rebuilding from burnout. It's very individualized! But this range? It’s a strong starting point for feeling more stable and less snacky all day long.
Inside The Metabolic Edge, every single recipe in the meal guides is built with this balance in mind. The carb load, the fiber, the protein, the fat -- it’s all designed to keep your blood sugar steady, your metabolism supported, and your energy more predictable. And I update the meals every month, so there’s always something new to try without overthinking it.
You don’t have to obsess over numbers. You don’t have to eliminate carbs. And you definitely don’t have to keep wondering why you’re tired, foggy, or reaching for snacks when you’re supposedly “eating healthy.”
This stuff matters. And when your meals are working with you instead of against you, everything else gets easier too.
XO,
Tara