Carbohydrates, also called "carbs," are molecules made up from sugars. While many people believe carbs to be wholesale unhealthy, carbohydrates are fundamental to a healthy diet. Carbohydrates help organs to function properly and are the body's main source of energy. However, certain carbohydrates are better for you than others. Complex carbohydrates are best, as your body digests them slowly, limiting the amount of sugar stored in your body. In contrast, the body breaks down and stores the sugars in simple carbohydrates very quickly, thereby increasing the chance of the sugar being converted to unhealthy fat.
Bread
Bread is a rich source of carbohydrates--but some breads are composed of complex carbohydrates while others are made of simple carbs. To ensure you're eating the healthiest type of bread, MayoClinic.com advises eating whole grain or whole wheat bread. Whole grain bread is made from grains that retain their outer layers, the bran and germ, during the milling process. The bran and hull contain many important vitamins and minerals, and their complex structure forces the body to digest them slowly.
Rice
Rice is another carbohydrate that can be either a complex or simple. White rice is a simple carbohydrate because during the milling process the bran and germ is stripped away, leaving the rice kernel in its simplest form. The healthier rice option is to eat brown rice, which is complex carbohydrates that is rich in B vitamins, fiber, iron and manganese.
Fruit
Whole fruits are carbohydrates primarily of fructose and glucose--simple forms of sugar. Despite their high sugar content, fruits are considered complex carbohydrates because they are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, all of which makes the body digest them more slowly.
Vegetables
Most vegetables contain carbohydrates, though some have more carbs than others. According to MayoClinic.com, vegetables with modest or low amounts of carbohydrates include broccoli, radishes, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, beets, artichokes, lettuce and cucumbers. High carbohydrate vegetables tend to be starchy root vegetables, including yams, carrots, potatoes and turnips.
Junk food
Most "junk foods," such as candy, soda, potato chips, cake and ice cream are simple carbohydrates. These sugary foods provide your body with energy quickly, but don't add any nutritional benefit. Moreover, as pointed out by the University of California's Student Nutrition Awareness Campaign, the energy boost you get from sugary foods don't last long. When these simple sugars enter the body, the body produces insulin, which quickly expels sugar from the blood stream, leaving you feeling more drained than before.
Member Comments