According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), over two-thirds of the American population over the age of 20 years is either overweight or obese. And the numbers are getting worse. According to one study published in 2001 in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," the obesity incidence increased from 44.8 to 66 percent between 1960 and 2004. The majority of these cases of obesity reflect a sedentary lifestyle and taking in more calories that we can expend--largely in the form of excess carbohydrates.
Popular Breakfast Items
Breakfast items studied by the Arlington School District Food and Nutrition Services represent a wide variety of food with and without high carbohydrates. Two oz. of scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese contain 1 gm of carbohydrate. Other popular breakfast foods (with their carb content in parenthesis) include 2.5 oz. of French toast (23 g), one 3.5 oz. beef sausage biscuit (28 g) and one 3.25 oz. cinnamon toast (31 g).
Grains and Breads
Grains and breads are typically high in carbohydrates but can still be nutritious for you. One package of two saltine crackers contains 17 g of carbohydrates. Others include one 4-inch hamburger bun (26 g), one 2-oz. slice of cornbread (22 g), one-half cup of white steamed rice (19 g) and and one average-sized dinner roll (25 g).
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are ample sources of carbohydrates and are recommended in many types of diets. One-half cup of applesauce contains 15 g of carbohydrates. Other good sources include 1/2 cup of broccoli (5 g), 1/2 cup of raw cantaloupe (7 g), 1/2 cup of steamed corn (20 g), 1/2 cup of green beans (6 g), 3 oz. of oven fries (26 g) and 1/2 cup of glazed sweet potatoes (38 g).
Miscellaneous Food Items
Carbohydrates are found in a wide variety of snack foods. One 1-oz whole grain brownie cookie contains 18 g of carbohydrates. Other popular sources include 1/2 oz. piece of white cake with frosting (4.5 g), one packet of ketchup (3 g), an 8 fluid oz. chocolate shake (25 g) and 1 oz. of BBQ sauce contains 12 g of carbs.
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