Foods containing high amounts of starch and low fiber include products such as white bread, cake and cookies. They are not inherently bad for you, even if you have diabetes; however, if you load up your diet with them, you'll be missing out on other important nutrients, such as fiber, and as a result you may increase your risks for certain chronic health conditions, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Significance
Humans need fiber in their foods to keep their intestines operating properly, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Fiber is the part of the carbohydrate that cannot be digested, and foods such as whole grains and beans contain lots of fiber. However, modern food processing often strips the fibrous part of the grain out, leaving soft white flour but eliminating the valuable fiber.
Types
Starch, meanwhile, refers to all foods with carbohydrates, including those that contain fiber, according to the University of Illinois. Foods that include little fiber but high starch generally wind up being high in easily digested carbohydrates, which can raise your blood sugar. Examples of these include plain bagels, cookies and white pasta.
Options
Typical high starch and low fiber food choices might include white rice, white pasta and any form of sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, most sweet desserts, including cakes, cookies, pies and candy, will contain high levels of starch and very little fiber. Soda, unless it's diet, contains lots of starch and no fiber.
More Options
Fruits and vegetables tend to include fiber, but some are lower in fiber and higher in starch content than others, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For example, a banana contains about 30 grams of starch but just 3 grams of fiber. In addition, corn and white potatoes both contain plenty of starch but little fiber.
Considerations
Although everyone needs to consume some starch in order to get adequate nutrition, it's not healthy to focus solely on high starch and low fiber foods, since they tend to have fewer vitamins and minerals than their high-fiber counterparts, according to the University of Illinois. To make your diet healthier, try switching from white bread and pasta -- both high-starch, low-fiber foods -- to whole wheat versions, which contain starch but more fiber.
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