Carbs, Insulin, and Weight Loss: what REALLY Matters for Getting the Results you Want Some experts-and lots of people on Twitter-believe carbs and insulin make you gain weight. But, they say, the fix is simple: If you eat a low-carb diet, you’ll keep insulin levels low-and lose weight rapidly instead. All without ever having to worry about calories. Here, we look at the science behind these claims and try to answer the real question on everyone’s mind: What really matters most for fat loss? But over the last two decades, carb-phobia has sky-rocketed. So when folks want to lose weight, they’re often told to eliminate the rigatoni, rotini, and ravioli-along with rice, potatoes, bread, and even fruit. The reason: Carbs, of course… It’s all based on a controversial hypothesis known as the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity. Your body releases insulin. Then, according to the model, insulin 1) keeps your body from burning fat for energy, and 2) drives fat and sugar from your bloodstream into your fat cells. All this makes your body think it’s starving, causing it to slow your metabolism and increase your hunger. It’s a beautifully simplistic explanation as to why we have a still-growing global obesity problem. And many advocates of the carbohydrate-insulin model claim it leads to a beautifully simplistic solution: Adopt a low-carb diet. With this approach, they say, you’ll create a hormonal environment that gives you a "metabolic advantage," allowing you to effortlessly lose fat while eating as much as you want. No more worrying about calories or portions. Want to get the world’s most useful nutrition, health, and coaching strategies delivered straight to your inbox? If you want to see the authors discuss this article in even more detail, check out the video below. PN coach roundtable: Robin Beier discusses the truth about insulin, carbs and weight loss with Helen Kolias and Brian St. Pierre. Insulin and carbs: Partners in crime?