Carbs 101: What Your Body Actually Needs—and What It Doesn’t

Think all carbs are created equal? Are the planets twinning? Are stars all the same? Do human beings share the same DNA?

Okay, we got carried away a little there, but the answer is no—not all carbs are created equal. There. We said it.

That felt good.

There are so many intricate pieces to how macronutrients like carbohydrates function to serve the body, and we can’t view carbs as the same across the board.

The roles of fibre, resistant starches, and whole ingredients determine how the body uses carbohydrates, so let’s start there.

Let’s bring on the stellar science behind carbohydrates, friends!

Ready to launch? Buckle up and prepare for take-off.

What are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are one of the three main macronutrients (along with protein and fat) found in our foods, and they are the body’s primary and preferred source of fuel because the energy uptake is easy. Most digestible carbohydrates (sugars and starches) are broken down into glucose, which cells use for immediate energy.

However, today’s food is often riddled with way too much sugar, leading to increases in metabolic disease, obesity, and even mood disorders¹. Low carb diets (like the ketogenic diet) drastically limit carb intake, forcing the body to use alternative fuel sources, primarily fat, producing molecules called ketones for energy.

This is what Carbonaut aims to support: those looking to reduce carb intake to help burn fat, increase energy, and generally feel better. All Carbonaut products are formulated to help you stay in fat-burning mode on your number conscious journey!

Here’s general breakdown of everything you need to know about carbs:

Simple vs. Complex Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates consist of sugars that are quickly absorbed by the body, leading to rapid increases in blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates are made up of longer chains of sugar molecules, which take longer to digest. They provide a more gradual release of energy.

It’s easy to know which foods contain simple carbs or complex carbs by assessing their fibre levels. For example, conventional apple juice has zero fibre and is a simple carbohydrate, but an apple contains fibre and is a complex carbohydrate when eaten whole (not juiced).

The Low Glycemic Benefits of Carbonaut

With Carbonaut, you get to eat your favourite bread and not worry simple versus complex carbohydrates and their corresponding blood sugar spikes. This is because Carbonaut products contain a variety of soluble fibre sources, which help to slow and steady that sugar rush. These include resistant starches, psyllium husk, pea, wheat, and bamboo fibre.

The Essential Role of Fibre

Fibre is a complex carb that the human body cannot digest or absorb. It passes through the digestive system relatively intact, offering significant health benefits, especially important on a number conscious diet where traditional high fibre sources like whole grains might be limited.

There are two distinct types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Although they sound similar, they are different and do different (yet both essential) things for your body.

Soluble fibre dissolves in water or fluids, creating a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. This type of fibre helps to slow digestion and regulate blood sugar. Common foods that contain this type of fibre include oats, chia seeds, beans, and many fruits².

Insoluble fibre does not dissolve. Instead, it assists in cleansing of the gut by sweeping food through the intestinal tract and out the colon. Items that contain this type of fibre include corn, nuts, hearty vegetables, whole grains, and tubers.

Also? Carbonaut products.

Here’s why fibre is important:

Digestive health: fibre adds bulk to stool, promoting regular bowel movements and helping to prevent constipation. Certain fibres also act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting a healthy microbiome.

For example, the insoluble fibre found in bamboo fibre is prebiotic, supporting a healthy gut microbiome by providing sustenance for beneficial gut bacteria³. Bamboo fibre also has prebiotic effects, which help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and aid digestion and overall health. The regularity fibre provides also keeps bloat and inflammation away.

For more in-depth reading on the topic of linking gut health to a low carb diet, click here.

Blood sugar and cholesterol management: fibre slows the absorption of sugar, which helps stabilize blood glucose levels and prevents spikes in blood sugar. Soluble fibre can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels⁴.

Consuming high-fibre foods like Carbonaut breads can help regulate blood sugar levels. This makes the high fibre in our products suitable for individuals with diabetes or those looking to manage these levels on a regular basis.

Studies have shown that “dietary fibre products can improve the sensory properties of food, reduce postprandial blood glucose, and enhance satiety.”⁵

Satiety: high fibre foods tend to be more filling, which can aid in appetite control and weight management.

In summary, Carbonaut products contain plenty of fibre, which ultimately aids your digestive health, stabilizes blood sugar, and provides plenty of satiety. Fuel your number conscious journey with high fibre Carbonaut choices!

In general, more fibre is better, but if you currently consume a low-fibre diet, you’ll need to slowly work your way up to eating more fibre. Don’t double your intake overnight! Slowly adding more fibre to your diet will ensure a happy tummy.

What in the Cosmos is Resistant Starch?

Resistant starch is a unique type of carbohydrate that functions similarly to fibre because it literally resists digestion in the small intestine. During fermentation in the large intestine, resistant starches produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids, which nourish colon cells, reduce inflammation, and may even improve insulin sensitivity⁶.

The main difference between regular starches and resistant starches is in how resistant starches are digested and their effect on blood sugar.

Regular starches are found in conventional breads, pasta, and most potatoes, these are easily broken down by digestive enzymes into glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a quick spike in blood sugar. This leads to an inevitable energy crash.

Resistant starches bypass digestion in the small intestine and travel to the large intestine, where they are fermented by friendly gut bacteria. Because they aren’t broken down into sugar and absorbed into the bloodstream, they have a minimal impact on blood glucose and insulin levels.

Here are the main health benefits of resistant starches:

• Supports blood sugar management: Unlike traditional starches that quickly break down into glucose, resistant starch is digested more slowly, helping to moderate blood sugar levels and reduce energy crashes⁷.
• Promotes gut health: Resistant starch functions as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria that contribute to overall digestive health and well-being⁸.
• Keto-Friendly: Because resistant starch is not fully broken down into glucose, it has minimal impact on ketosis, making it a great option for number conscious and keto lifestyles.

And guess what? At Carbonaut, all our products contain resistant starches.

Whole Ingredients to Bring it Home

Using whole ingredients is crucial for maintaining a number conscious diet because it ensures you receive adequate amounts of essential nutrients, they promote feelings of fullness, and they help you avoid hidden carbs and additives found in many highly processed number conscious products.

Here’s why they are so important:

Nutrient density: whole foods like fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds, are packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants that are often stripped away during the processing of refined foods.

At Carbonaut, our sky-high high standards are reflected in the taste and texture of every product we make.

Sustained energy and satiety: whole foods, especially those high in fibre and healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, and chia seeds), are digested more slowly. This slow digestion provides sustained energy, helps stabilize blood sugar levels, and keeps you feeling fuller for longer, which naturally suppresses appetite and helps prevent overeating and cravings.

Better health outcomes: diets centered on whole, unprocessed foods are linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers⁹. The natural composition of whole foods supports overall metabolic health more effectively than relying on processed alternatives, even those marketed as healthy.

Summary of Key Points

• Your body needs energy, but it doesn’t have to come from carbs—and it certainly doesn’t need simple carbs that give quick energy and even faster crashes. Alternatively, your body can use fat for energy using ketones, instead.
• Fibre is your BFF, and the types of fibre matter, too. Fibre from bamboo and pea¹⁰ supports lower blood sugar levels and bowel function¹¹.
• Resistant starches are a key part of what makes Carbonaut… Carbonaut..  These starches support healthy blood sugar levels, as opposed to refined starches which can lead to metabolic disease and brain fog¹².
• Processed foods are often not as nutrient dense as whole foods, but Carbonaut’s clean ingredients and nutritional profile is a great alternative to a whole food.

Do you feel like you’re seeing stars? We encourage you to read the article a second time! Just like soluble fibre, sometimes we need to give it a little time to have all this information be properly absorbed and become useful.

Friends, we love providing you with science-backed information that really helps. Feel free to reach out via social or email with ideas for future newsletter topics! We’d love to hear from our friendlies.

Learn more by signing up for our monthly newsletter at the bottom of this page, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for all the number conscious inspiration. Searching for number conscious recipe inspiration? Check out our delicious recipes!

1. Witek, K., Wydra, K., & Filip, M. (2022). A High-Sugar Diet Consumption, Metabolism and Health Impacts with a Focus on the Development of Substance Use Disorder: A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 14(14), 2940. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142940 ↩︎
2. The Mayo Clinic. Dietary fibre: Essential for a healthy diet. Web. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fibre/art-20043983 ↩︎
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11. Park, E. J., & Jhon, D. Y. (2009). Effects of bamboo shoot consumption on lipid profiles and bowel function in healthy young women. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 25(7-8), 723–728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2009.01.007 ↩︎
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