Carbs Don’t Make You Fat!
Primal Edge Health participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs and therefore, may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.
You might have been told the same story for years. Cut carbs, lose weight. Eat carbs, gain weight. But if carbs were the whole problem, people would not be gaining on “keto” pancakes, low-carb candy, and processed snack foods with a halo on the label. This episode pulls the spotlight off the scapegoat and puts it where it belongs. On the combination of hyper-palatable, ultra-processed foods that keep you eating long after you are full.
Tristan Haggard breaks down why carbs are only one part of the equation. The real issue is how modern foods stack fat + refined carbs + salt (and engineered texture) to override hunger signals. He also makes a strong case for protein as the lever most people ignore. When protein is too low, appetite stays high, cravings stay loud, and it gets easy to overeat energy from both fat and carbs without realizing it.
Jump To:
Listen to the Episode Now
Click play on the podcast player below or watch the video on Youtube.
Meet the Host
Tristan Haggard is the voice behind the Primal Edge Health podcast. He’s helped thousands find health through nutrient-dense eating, keto, and carnivore diets by focusing on real food, simple habits, and a holistic approach to wellness. He’s also into homesteading and raising his family with a back-to-basics lifestyle.
Connect with Tristan on X.
Episode Highlights
This episode is for anyone who wants a clearer mental model for fat loss and appetite. Tristan explains how the body stores carbohydrate in limited quantities as glycogen, while fat is stored in far larger supply. He talks about gluconeogenesis as a normal, necessary process for stable blood sugar, not a reason to panic about being “kicked out of ketosis.”
He also calls out a common trap. Blaming carbs alone lets the real villains slide. Many of the foods linked with weight gain are not simply “high carb.” They are industrial foods that blend sugar and refined starches with fats and additives to make stopping feel impossible. Tristan frames these as foods engineered for overconsumption, and he points out how low protein intake makes the problem worse because protein is deeply tied to satiety.
A big practical thread in the episode is sustainability, especially for families. Tristan shares how he thinks about seasonal eating, why ketosis does not have to be a permanent state for everyone, and how he approaches carbohydrates for kids in a way that keeps the home food environment grounded in real options, not constant “treat” culture.
In this episode:
- How to think about carbs in a more practical way, including seasonal use and family context
- Why carbs are not the sole driver of fat gain, and what matters more in real life
- How glycogen storage is limited, while body fat storage is abundant, and why that changes the conversation
- What gluconeogenesis does, and why it is part of normal human physiology
- How “fat + refined carbs + salt” creates hyper-palatable foods that override appetite signals
- Why protein is the satiety macro most people under-eat, and how that affects cravings and portion control
Please subscribe and give a 5-star rating on your preferred podcast platform!
Meet Our Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by CHOQ. Choq is our first choice for natural supplements to positively impact energy, mood, and stress resilience throughout the day. Shop now and use our code BIG53LIFE for 53% off all subscriptions for life!
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or dietary changes. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.
