Simple Carbohydrates vs. Complex Carbohydrates
Written by Kristeen Cherney Medically Reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, MS, RD, LD, CDE on 30 March 2015
Carbohydrates are a major macronutrient and one of your body’s primary sources of energy. Still, there is a constant weight loss buzz that discourages eating them. The key is finding the right carbs — not avoiding them altogether.
You may have heard that eating complex carbs is better than simple carbs. The problem is that nutrition labels don’t tell you if the carbohydrate content is simple or complex. Either way, understanding how these foods are classified and how they work in your body can help ensure you choose the right carbs.
Carbs are made up of fiber, starch, and sugars.
The American Diabetes Association recommends getting 25-35 grams of fiber per day.
Carbohydrates are an important nutrient found in numerous types of foods. Most of us equate carbs with bread and pasta, but you can also find them in:
Carbohydrates are made up of three components: fiber, starch, and sugar. Fiber and starch are complex carbs, while sugar is a simple carb. Depending on how much of each of these is found in a food determines its nutrient quality.
1. Soda:
Choose water flavored with lemon instead.
2. Baked Treats:
Satisfy your sweet tooth with fruit.
3. Packaged Cookies:
Bake your own goods using substitutes like applesauce or sweeteners, or look for other mixes that contain more complex carbs. Try our recipe for lemon cardamom cookies, or maybe even our parsnip cookies!
4. Fruit Juice Concentrate:
An easy way to avoid fruit concentrate is to look closely at nutrition labels. Always choose 100 percent fruit juice, or, even easier, make your own at home! Try our recipe for kiwi strawberry juice.
5. Breakfast Cereal:
Breakfast cereals tend to be loaded with simple carbohydrates. If you just can’t kick the habit, check out our rundown of breakfast cereals, from the best to the worst for your health.
Fiber and starch are the two types of complex carbohydrates. Fiber is especially important because it promotes bowel regularity and helps to control cholesterol. The main sources of dietary fiber include:
Starch is also found in some of the same foods as fiber. The difference is certain foods are considered more starchy than fibrous, such as potatoes. Other high-starch foods are:
Complex carbohydrates are key to long-term health. They make it easier to maintain your weight, and can even help guard against type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems in the future.
1. Grains:
Grains are good sources of fiber, as well as potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Choose less processed, whole grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, and whole-wheat pasta.
2. Fiber-Rich Fruits:
Such as apples, berries, and bananas (avoid canned fruit, as they usually contain added syrup).
3. Fiber-Rich Vegetables:
Eat more of all your veggies, including broccoli, leafy greens, and carrots.
4. Beans:
Aside from fiber, these are good sources of folate, iron, and potassium.
Choosing the right carbs can take time and practice. With a little bit of research and a keen eye for nutrition labels, you can start making healthier choices that will energize your body and protect it from long-term complications.
Article resources
Carbohydrates. (2012, December 11). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/carbs.html#Simple%20Carbohydrates
Choose Carbohydrates Wisely. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/hhs_facts_carbohydrates.pdf
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, May 2). Carbohydrates: How Carbs Fit into a Healthy Diet. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/carbohydrates/art-20045705?pg=1
Types of Carbohydrates. (2014, February 28). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/types-of-carbohydrates.html
Carbohydrates are a major macronutrient and one of your body’s primary sources of energy. Still, there is a constant weight loss buzz that discourages eating them. The key is finding the right carbs — not avoiding them altogether.
You may have heard that eating complex carbs is better than simple carbs. The problem is that nutrition labels don’t tell you if the carbohydrate content is simple or complex. Either way, understanding how these foods are classified and how they work in your body can help ensure you choose the right carbs.
Understanding Carbohydrates
What’s in a Carb?Carbs are made up of fiber, starch, and sugars.
The American Diabetes Association recommends getting 25-35 grams of fiber per day.
Carbohydrates are an important nutrient found in numerous types of foods. Most of us equate carbs with bread and pasta, but you can also find them in:
- dairy products
- fruits
- vegetables
- grains
- nuts
- legumes
- seeds
- sugary foods and sweets
Carbohydrates are made up of three components: fiber, starch, and sugar. Fiber and starch are complex carbs, while sugar is a simple carb. Depending on how much of each of these is found in a food determines its nutrient quality.
Simple Carbs = Simplistic Nutrition
Simple carbs are sugars. While some of these occur naturally in milk, most of the simple carbs in the American diet are added to foods. Common simple carbs added to foods include:- raw sugar
- brown sugar
- corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup
- glucose, fructose, and sucrose
- fruit juice concentrate
Simple Carb Foods to Avoid
Try to avoid some of the most common refined sources of simple carbs and look for alternatives to satisfy those sweet cravings:1. Soda:
Choose water flavored with lemon instead.
2. Baked Treats:
Satisfy your sweet tooth with fruit.
3. Packaged Cookies:
Bake your own goods using substitutes like applesauce or sweeteners, or look for other mixes that contain more complex carbs. Try our recipe for lemon cardamom cookies, or maybe even our parsnip cookies!
4. Fruit Juice Concentrate:
An easy way to avoid fruit concentrate is to look closely at nutrition labels. Always choose 100 percent fruit juice, or, even easier, make your own at home! Try our recipe for kiwi strawberry juice.
5. Breakfast Cereal:
Breakfast cereals tend to be loaded with simple carbohydrates. If you just can’t kick the habit, check out our rundown of breakfast cereals, from the best to the worst for your health.
The More Complex, the Better
Complex carbs pack in more nutrients than simple carbs, because they are higher in fiber and digest more slowly. This also makes them more filling, which means they’re a good option for weight control. They are also ideal for people with type 2 diabetes because they help manage post-meal blood sugar spikes.Fiber and starch are the two types of complex carbohydrates. Fiber is especially important because it promotes bowel regularity and helps to control cholesterol. The main sources of dietary fiber include:
- fruits
- vegetables
- nuts
- beans
- whole grains
Starch is also found in some of the same foods as fiber. The difference is certain foods are considered more starchy than fibrous, such as potatoes. Other high-starch foods are:
- whole wheat bread
- cereal
- corn
- oats
- peas
- rice
Complex carbohydrates are key to long-term health. They make it easier to maintain your weight, and can even help guard against type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems in the future.
Complex Carbs You Should Eat More Of
Be sure to include the following complex carbohydrates as a regular part of your diet:1. Grains:
Grains are good sources of fiber, as well as potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Choose less processed, whole grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, and whole-wheat pasta.
2. Fiber-Rich Fruits:
Such as apples, berries, and bananas (avoid canned fruit, as they usually contain added syrup).
3. Fiber-Rich Vegetables:
Eat more of all your veggies, including broccoli, leafy greens, and carrots.
4. Beans:
Aside from fiber, these are good sources of folate, iron, and potassium.
Choosing the right carbs can take time and practice. With a little bit of research and a keen eye for nutrition labels, you can start making healthier choices that will energize your body and protect it from long-term complications.
Article resources
Carbohydrates. (2012, December 11). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/carbs.html#Simple%20Carbohydrates
Choose Carbohydrates Wisely. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/hhs_facts_carbohydrates.pdf
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, May 2). Carbohydrates: How Carbs Fit into a Healthy Diet. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/carbohydrates/art-20045705?pg=1
Types of Carbohydrates. (2014, February 28). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/types-of-carbohydrates.html
source: www.healthline.com
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