Carbohydrates List

From LoveToKnow Diet

The dreaded carbohydrate has become a word synonymous with “bad” over the last few years, but the following carbohydrates list will show you it is more than just a case of good or bad.

What are Carbohydrates

When you consume food your body breaks it down to its base nutrients. Carbohydrates from food are stored and turned into energy as well as fat. There are only two columns to the carbohydrates list and essentially they are described as either good or bad.

For the most part “simple” carbohydrates, those that can be broken down easily by the body such as white sugar, are considered bad. This distinction is thanks mostly to many fad diets. Simple carbohydrates are vastly made from simple sugars which means when you consume them you gain a small bit of energy but a slot of it will be broken down and stored in your body as fat.

Complex carbohydrates are considered to be the “good” carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are turned in to energy that your body needs in order to refuel itself from normal activities. This process works in conjunction with other vitamins and minerals.

Simple Carbohydrates List

Simple carbohydrates consist of mainly processed foods that you would find at fast food restaurants and junk food stores. These foods use a mass amount of processed white sugar in order them taste good.

Simple carbohydrates also exist in naturally occurring foods. The carbohydrates list that follows will focus on natural simple carbohydrates that contain a small amount of simple sugar but do not promote the gaining of weight.

Berries
- Cranberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Melon
Apples
Oranges
Peaches
Plums
Pears
Kiwi
Lemon
Grapefruit

Many items contain too much simple sugar. These foods are the ones that prevent you from losing weight and instead pack on the pounds. These foods include:

Table Sugar
Biscuits
Processed Chocolate (like Hershey’s and Cadbury’s)
Fudge
Jams
Canned Fruits
Soda

There are, of course, hundreds upon hundreds of foods full of sugar. In order to lose weight these items have to be consumed less.

List of Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates are made up of foods that are vastly wholegrain in nature. These include things like certain breads, packaged organic oats (Quaker oats and others that contain flavorings are packed full of simple sugars), muesli and brown rice. These carbs are turned to glucose much like simple carbohydrates but more slowly. This allows your body to process the glucose more efficiently, and provides your body with a steady stream of energy instead of a quick burst.

The following complex carbohydrates list has foods that naturally provide the body with great sources of minerals and vitamins that our bodies need and that many simple carbohydrates lack. The list is also comprised of foods that can easily be utilized in order to make healthy lower carb meal plans. These are best consumed in their raw states.

Wheat germ
Barley
Buckwheat
Oatmeal
Cornmeal
Maize
Corn
Yams
Peas
Beans
Lentils
Brown Rice

Many athletes consume a vast amount of carbohydrates in order to maintain their weight and energy level because they burn off sugars and fats quite rapidly. One of the most popular forms of carbohydrates for athletes is pasta. People with a normal activity level should consume pasta in small amounts and if possible replace the white-flour pasta with wholegrain. The same applies to starchy foods that are high in carbohydrates like mashed potatoes.

Low Carb Lifestyle

Many people are taking the route and living a lifestyle that is low in carbohydrates. They concentrate on taking in all of the good carbs which include complex carbohydrates and some simple carbohydrates but the following carbohydrates list consists of primarily vegetables that are low in carbs and low in starch.

Many greens like lettuce, spinach, endive, kale, mustard greens, etc.
Bok Choy
Radishes
Nori, Seaweed and other “vegetables of the sea”
Broccoli
Cucumber and no sugar added pickles
Mushrooms
Squash (Summer and Zucchini)
Asparagus
Bamboo Shoots
Leeks
Green and Wax Beans
Peppers
Avocado
Celery
Eggplant
Many, many more…

Remember that not all carbohydrates are treated the same by your body so always make the conscious choice of what you are consuming. Fad diets will often have you completely ignoring all carbohydrates instead of focusing on the good carbohydrates.

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