Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for humans and can be divided into complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, and dietary fibers. Carbohydrate-rich foods have health benefits, including colon health and stabilizing blood sugar levels. Good carbs are complex carbohydrates, while bad carbs are simple carbohydrates. Athletes often rely on carbohydrate-rich foods for energy.
High-carbohydrate foods are foods that contain a higher than average amount of carbohydrates, which are the main source of energy for humans. Often referred to simply as “carbs,” carbohydrates can be divided into three main groups. The groups are complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, and dietary fibers. Complex carbohydrates are also often called “starches.”
Simple carbohydrates are most commonly found in fruits, sugar, and dairy products. Complex carbohydrates come from cereals, grains, and foods made from these types of sources. Dietary fiber can come from foods in the simple carbohydrate category, such as fruits, and from the complex carbohydrate category, such as grains.
Many people try to stay away from carbohydrate-rich foods because these types of foods, especially those that contain high amounts of complex carbohydrates, can also be high in calories. However, a healthy diet should include some carbohydrate-rich foods simply for their health benefits. Dietary fiber, for example, may be important for colon health. Also, carbohydrate-rich foods, especially grains, can help lower blood cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels. There is also evidence that an inadequate level of carbohydrate in the diet can lead to problems affecting the central nervous system.
High-carbohydrate foods that are high in complex carbohydrates include oats, bran, barley, corn, buckwheat, cornmeal, and pasta of all varieties. Other foods that are also high in complex carbohydrates include potatoes, brown rice, shredded wheat, muesli, cereals made with whole grains, lentils, corn, yams, beans, and peas. High-carbohydrate foods that are high in simple carbohydrates include sugar, simple syrup, candy, cakes and pastries, cookies, fruit juice, and many cereals that are made without whole grains.
Sometimes carbohydrate-rich foods are divided into categories of “good carbs” and “bad carbs.” Foods that fall into the good category are those in the complex carbohydrate category. The goods that fall into the bad category are the ones that fall into the simple carbohydrate category.
People trying to gain weight or engaging in very vigorous activity on a regular basis often have to rely on carbohydrate-rich foods. Athletes often enjoy meals rich in complex carbohydrates to prepare for long workouts or bouts of exercise. This is sometimes called “carb loading.” A cross-country skier, for example, preparing for a full day of exercise, might have a breakfast containing muesli and a bran muffin, both of which are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates.
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