Why Carbs Keep Getting Blamed for Everything

Carbs have been blamed for:

• weight gain

• hunger

• cravings

• low energy

• high energy

• bad moods

• having a bad day, probably

At this point, it would be quicker to list what carbs haven’t been accused of.

But here’s the thing.

Carbs aren’t the problem.They’re just the easiest thing to point at.

We Always Need a Villain

Every few years, food gets a new enemy.

Fat.

Sugar.

Carbs.

Seed oils.

Something you ate once in 2009 and enjoyed too much.

Carbs are especially convenient because:

• they’re common

• they’re enjoyable

• they show up in comfort food

• they’re easy to remove

So when eating feels chaotic, carbs become the suspect.

Cut them out and… things often feel better.

For a while.

Why Cutting Carbs Seems to Work

When people remove carbs, they usually also:

• eat fewer ultra-processed foods

• eat more protein

• eat fewer snacks

• eat more structured meals

• stop grazing all day

That’s not a carb effect.That’s an eating structure effect.

Carbs didn’t leave — chaos did.

Carbs Aren’t One Thing (We Pretend They Are)

“Carbs” gets treated like a single substance.

But this lumping together makes no sense.

Bread ≠ biscuits

Pasta ≠ pastries

Rice ≠ Haribo

Even the same carb behaves differently depending on:

• portion size

• what it’s eaten with

• how fast you eat

• whether it’s a meal or a snack

Yet carbs get judged as if they act alone.

They don’t.

The Real Problem: Carb-Only Eating

Most carb complaints trace back to meals that are:

• low in protein

• low in fat

• eaten quickly

• eaten distracted

• eaten as “something quick”

Think:

• toast on its own

• cereal as lunch

• pasta with barely anything on it

• snacks instead of meals

These digest fast, spike energy briefly, then disappear.

Hunger returns.

Carbs get blamed.

Why Carbs Work Brilliantly Inside Meals

When carbs are part of a proper meal — with protein, some fat, and enough volume — they do something useful:

They:

• provide energy

• make meals satisfying

• help you stop thinking about food

• make eating feel complete

Carbs don’t cause overeating in meals.

They often prevent it.

Why “Carbs Make Me Hungry” Feels True

If you’ve ever said:

“Once I start on carbs, I can’t stop”

That’s rarely about addiction.

It’s usually about:

• under-eating earlier

• restricting carbs previously

• using carbs to patch energy gaps

• not feeling fully fed overall

Your body isn’t misbehaving.It’s responding.

Why Carbs Are the First Thing to Go

Carbs aren’t blamed because they’re uniquely harmful.

They’re blamed because:

• they’re optional

• they’re visible

• they’re not protein

• cutting them feels decisive

Removing carbs gives a sense of control.

But control isn’t the same as understanding.

The Scrummy Take

Carbs don’t need defending.They need context.

Most people don’t need fewer carbs.They need:

• better meals

• enough food

• fewer half-measures

• less food anxiety

Carbs aren’t the villain of the story.

They’re just standing nearest the crime scene.