Ep. 36 | Carbs for Women Over 40: Why You Need Them (And Should Never Cut Them Out)
Cut the carbs. Go keto. Carbs are making you fat. Carbs spike your blood sugar. Carbs are the problem.
You've heard it all. And maybe you've tried it all — cutting carbs to the bone and wondering why you're exhausted, foggy, irritable, and still not losing weight.
Here's the truth: carbohydrates are not the enemy. They never were. Your body needs them. Your brain needs them. And eliminating them — especially during perimenopause and menopause — is doing more harm than good.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why Your Body Needs Carbs:
Your brain, muscles, and cells rely on glucose from carbohydrates for fuel — it's their preferred energy source
When you cut carbs too low, your body compensates with cortisol to maintain blood sugar — which increases stress on a system that's already overwhelmed
Carbs aren't just about energy — they provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals your body depends on
The Power of Fiber:
Fiber from carb-rich foods promotes digestive health, feeds your gut microbiome, and can help lower cholesterol
Most women aren't getting nearly enough fiber — and cutting carbs is a big reason why
Choosing the Right Carbs:
Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that support overall health
The difference between processed carbs that spike your blood sugar and complex carbs that sustain your energy
Why even women managing blood sugar or diabetes need carbs — in the right types and balanced amounts — to maintain energy and stable glucose levels
Why Elimination Backfires:
Cutting carbs entirely increases cortisol, tanks your energy, disrupts your sleep, and can stall weight loss — the opposite of what you're trying to achieve
Your body needs all three macronutrients working together — protein, fats, AND carbs — for your hormones, metabolism, and brain to function
The diet industry demonized carbs. And women in menopause have paid the price. It's time to bring them back — the right ones, in the right amounts, as part of a balanced approach that actually supports your body.
This episode is for you if: You're a woman over 40 who's been cutting carbs for years — maybe decades — and you're more exhausted, more foggy, and more frustrated than ever. You want permission to eat carbs again. And you want to understand why your body has been asking for them all along.
Links & Resources:
🎯 Take the free quiz → What's Really Causing Your Symptoms? https://cindistickle.com/quiz
📅 Book a free Hormone Reset Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/cindistickle/menopause-hormone-clarity-call
🌿 Learn more about It's Not Just Hormones™ System → https://cindistickle.com
🥑 Free Guide → 9 Menopause-Friendly Foods That Reduce Inflammation → https://cindistickle.com
👩💻 Join the free community → It's Not Just Menopause: No-BS Support with Real Answers → https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsmenopause
📱 Follow on Instagram → @cindisticklenutrition
💬 If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend — or leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more women find the root-cause menopause support they deserve.
