44. Why I Stopped Recommending Low-Carb: My Full Diet Shift Explained (What I Eat In A Day 2026)

44. Why I Stopped Recommending Low-Carb: My Full Diet Shift Explained (What I Eat In A Day 2026)

Author: Zane Griggs: Health Tips February 16, 2026 Duration: 54:44

I recommended low-carb and intermittent fasting for nearly 20 years.

Then my labs started telling a different story.

In this episode, I break down why I stopped fasting, increased carbohydrates, lowered fat intake, and how that shift improved my fasting glucose, thyroid markers, LDL, sleep, and recovery.

This isn't anti-keto/carnivore. It's anti-dogma.

If you care about metabolic health, ATP production, thyroid function, or insulin sensitivity, this conversation will challenge what you think you know.

Chapters below 👇

Episode Timestamps:

  • 00:00 — Why I Needed to Address This Publicly
  • 01:30 — The Hard Realization I Was Wrong
  • 03:00 — 20 Years of Low-Carb & Fasting
  • 05:00 — Carnivore Experiment & What It Felt Like
  • 08:30 — My Blood Markers That Didn't Make Sense
  • 11:30 — Thyroid, SHBG & Sleep Disruptions
  • 13:30 — Over-Leveraging Metabolic Stress
  • 14:00 — Ending Intermittent Fasting
  • 15:00 — Increasing Carbs to 300g
  • 17:00 — Improved Bloodwork Results
  • 19:00 — Lower LDL Without Medication
  • 20:00 — Phase Two: High-Carb, Low-Fat Experiment
  • 23:00 — Adjusting Protein & Fat Down
  • 27:00 — Blood Sugar Dropped to 80
  • 28:00 — Visceral Fat & DEXA Results
  • 29:00 — Doctor's Reaction
  • 30:00 — Thyroid & Cholesterol Mechanisms Explained
  • 32:00 — Gluconeogenesis & Starvation Signaling
  • 35:00 — My Wife's Results
  • 36:00 — Cellular Energy & ATP Explained
  • 38:00 — What I Eat in a Day
  • 44:00 — Night Waking & Liver Glycogen
  • 45:00 — How I Lean Out Now
  • 48:00 — Who Should Increase Fat vs Lower Fat
  • 50:00 — Free Fit Over 40 Plan
  • 52:00 — Why ATP Production Is the Real Focus

Connect with Zane Griggs:


Turning fifty doesn't mean slowing down; it can be the start of your most vibrant chapter. Healthy AF | Healthy After 50 is a candid conversation about making that happen, hosted by health and longevity expert Zane Griggs. This podcast moves beyond generic advice to offer practical, actionable strategies for nutrition, fitness, and mental resilience tailored for the second half of life. You'll hear honest discussions about the unique challenges and opportunities that come after fifty, from maintaining muscle mass and optimizing metabolism to cultivating a mindset that supports lasting change. Zane breaks down complex health concepts into understandable steps, whether you're looking to revitalize your current routine or are just beginning to prioritize your well-being. The focus is on sustainable habits, not quick fixes, empowering you to feel stronger and more energized. While the core audience is those over fifty, the principles discussed are valuable for anyone in their twenties or thirties who wants to build a solid foundation for a long, healthy future. Each episode is designed to give you a tangible takeaway-something you can apply immediately to improve your day. Tune in for a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to becoming the healthiest version of yourself, because thriving after fifty is absolutely possible.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 49

Healthy AF | Healthy After 50
Podcast Episodes
49. Fix Your Blood Sugar Without Cutting Carbs With Isaac Pohlman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:24
In this episode, Zane sits down with registered dietitian and Type 1 diabetic Isaac Pohlman to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in modern health: that carbs are the problem. Isaac shares his powerful personal…
48. The Real Reason Your Metabolism Slows After 40 It's Not Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:20
Most people believe your metabolism automatically slows down after 40. But the science says something very different. In this episode of Healthy AF, Zane Griggs breaks down the truth about metabolism, aging, and why fat…
47. The Real Reason You're Always Tired After 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:52
Most people think fatigue is a sleep problem. But the truth is… sleep is often just a symptom. In this episode, Zane breaks down why so many people—especially after 40—feel exhausted even when they're getting 7–8 hours o…
46. Low Carb Is Wrecking Your Thyroid (And Most People Don't Know It) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:54
Many people struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or low libido may actually be dealing with thyroid dysfunction — and not even know it. In this episode of Healthy AF, Zane explains how common lifestyle habits…
45. Most Men Over 40 Are Missing These 5 Blood Markers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:11
Most men focus on body weight, workouts, or body fat… but those numbers don't tell the full story. In this episode of Healthy AF, Zane breaks down the five blood markers every man over 40 should be tracking if they want…
41. Unlocking the Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Vincent Pedre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:12
We talk a lot about fitness, metabolism, and hormones on this show — but if your gut's not right, none of it works properly. In this week's episode of Healthy AF, I sit down with Dr. Vincent Pedre, board-certified intern…
40. From Food Addiction to Freedom: Meghann Hempel's Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
Most of us don't realize how deep our relationship with food runs until we try to change it. In this Healthy AF episode, I sit down with Meghann Hempel, who shares her powerful journey from battling food addiction, emoti…