Perhaps more than any other food group, carbohydrates can really freak people out. You might say, carbs are one of the world’s great nutritional “hang-ups.”  And a big reason for this is we’ve been told carbohydrates will make us … fat. Eat the wrong kinds, too much, and too often, and you’ll be popping the buttons off your jeans in no time.  So many of us then try to avoid or limit carbohydrates, but find ourselves struggling to sustain that.  Part of what makes carbohydrates so confusing is that we’ve come to believe they’re not only problematic to both our weight and health – but that they’re also somehow OPTIONAL. Like we can just skip them and be A-OK. ? But the trouble is, we need carbs. They’re 1 of our 3 key macronutrients – the others being fat and protein – and the body absolutely requires them for its functioning.  Which is why examining and releasing our negative beliefs about carbohydrates, weight, and health is so vital. Otherwise, we’re at risk for staying in strife and confusion around carbs, needing them for our body’s well-being but feeling like they’re also somehow bad for us. In this episode, Marc David will explore our collective beliefs around carbohydrates, weight and health – and how to put an end to the fears so many of us hold around this food group.  You’ll meet 34-year old guest coaching client, Jessica, who holds some confusing beliefs about carbohydrates and their potential negative impact on her health and weight.  Jessica has been going through a lot in her personal life, and wants to believe that it can be okay to allow herself to enjoy food as a way of relaxing and letting go.  She’d like those foods to include carbs, but the podcasts and experts she listens to say they’re detrimental and she’d be best to avoid them. Plus, she has lost a bunch of weight and doesn’t want to risk gaining it back. Carbs seem to encourage her weight gain. The problem is, whenever she’s stricter with carbohydrates – she inevitably boomerangs back, and eats even more. It seems she can never find peace and clarity when it comes to carbs. So what the heck is Jessica to do?! For Jessica and the rest of us in a similar place, we need to first recognize that carbohydrates are benign. They’re not an evil villain waiting to make you fat and unhappy. ? Carbohydrates are simply food, here to help you live and be healthy. Like any food, carbohydrates are asking you to be in relationship with them. And like any good relationship, you must first be in relationship with you and your body. Reading all the books and knowing all the information, that’s helpful. That’s being an educated consumer. But at some point, we must release the nutritional noise in our heads, and listen to our own body. Learning how to do this is one of the great challenges we face – a sort of lost art in this increasing digital age.  So if you’re like Jessica – a bit fraught over carbs, and whether to welcome them in or ward them off – don’t miss this episode! Marc will explore: ✅ The common false beliefs we hold around carbs, including that eating carbs causes weight gain. ✅ Why and how to find a “middle ground” with carbs. ✅ Finding the willingness to experiment with carbohydrates, and learning what works and doesn’t work for your unique body. ✅ Noticing negative self-talk and weight hate, and how they can fuel the fear of carbs. This session is a great reminder that finding our healthy natural weight means not only eating the right foods, but also thinking the right thoughts and listening thoughtfully to what your body is asking of you. --------------- Learn more about us at The Institute for the Psychology of Eating: https://psychologyofeating.com/  Ready to call a ceasefire in your battle with eating, and find peace and freedom with food? Learn more about our newest program, The Emotional Eating Breakthrough! https://learn.psychologyofeating.com/ Interested in becoming a certified coach in eating psychology? Then tune in to hear Marc talk about our Mind