Glucose is the body's main source of energy and comes from the carbohydrates that you eat, or from the glycogen in your liver. The Mayo Clinic explains that carbs come in three varieties, starches, sugars and fiber. Some carbohydrates are utilized faster than others, mainly those high in starch and sugar. Fiber is not readily, nor easily digested. Insulin in your bloodstream assists in moving glucose, metabolized from carbs, into your cells.
Low Carbohydrates
Foods traditionally low in carbohydrates include meats, poultry, cheese, eggs and non-starchy vegetables, explains the Mayo Clinic website. Examples of these foods include: beef, 0 g of carbohydrates; beef jerky, 3 g; 6 oz. corned beef, 0.3 g; 1 wiener, 1 g; 6 oz. of deli roast beef, 2.3 g; lamb, 0 g; chicken, 0 g; turkey, 0 g; 2 slices of Canadian bacon, 1 g; 3 medium slices of bacon, 0.1 g; 1 link of bratwurst, cooked, 1.8 g; cooked ham or pork, 0 g; 1 large egg, 0.6 g; 1 tbsp. of half & half cream, 0.6 g; 1 tbsp. of sour cream, 0.5; most fish and seafood, 0 g; most cheeses, less than 1 g; 1 apricot, raw, 4 g; 1/4 cup of cantaloupe, 3.5 g; and 1/2 cup of most non-starchy vegetables, such as cabbage, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, 1 to 5 g carbohydrates.
Medium Carbohydrates
You may find carbohydrates in grains, beans and legumes, pastas, starch vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Foods with a moderate amount of carbohydrates include: 1/2 cup of cooked egg noodles, 19 g; 1/2 cup of whole wheat pasta, 18 g; 1 cup of cooked spaghetti pasta, 40 g; 1 raw apple, 21 g; 1/2 of a grapefruit, 10 g; 1 peach, 10 g; 1/2 cup of Lima beans, cooked, 18 g; 1/2 cup of kidney beans, 20 g; 1/2 cup of Lima beans, 17 g; 1 slice of most breads, 10 to 15 g; 1/2 cup of crisp rice cereal, 12 g; 8 oz. of skim mild, 12 g; 1 cup of plain yogurt, 10 g; and 1/2 cup of dry, roasted peanuts, 6 g.
High Carbohydrates
The Harvard School of Public Health states the best carbohydrates to eat are those from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Refined and over-processed carbohydrates, such as pastries and sodas, are easily digested and may lead to weight gain. Foods high in carbohydrates include: 1 package prepared instant grits, 109 g; 10 dried figs, 122 g; 1 cup cooked, medium-grain rice, 53 g; 1 cup long, or medium-grain brown rice, 45 g; 1 boiled, medium, artichoke 33 g; 1 cup of boiled cranberries, no sugar, 43 g; 1/2 cup of boiled sweet potato, 30 g; 1 cooked, medium, white potato, 33 g; 1 /8 apple pie, 57 g; 1/12 chocolate cake, 50 g; and 1/8 cherry pie, 70 g.
Member Comments