Carbohydrates are your body's main source of energy.They occur naturally as sugars in fruits, starches and dairy products. Carbohydrates are also added to foods as sugars from sucrose and corn syrup solids in many processed foods. If you eat more carbohydrates than your body immediately needs for energy, these excess carbohydrates are converted into triglycerides and stored in the fat cells of your body. High blood triglyceride levels may increase your risk of coronary artery disease.
Considerations
Healthy carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, peas, legumes, fresh fruits and low fat milk products. You should not eliminate these foods from your diet, although you may be advised to reduce your portion sizes of all foods if you are overweight. Carbohydrates contain calories. If you eat more calories than your body can use, you will gain weight. Excessive weight gain can increase your risk of heart disease.
More Considerations
Your blood triglyceride levels typically increase when your carbohydrate intake exceeds 55 percent of your total calorie intake, according to Pub Med.gov. If you have high triglyceride levels, you should avoid foods with added sugars such as cake, pie, candy, cookies, jello, canned fruits packed in syrup, jams, jellies, syrups and regular soda pop. Alcohol also contains carbohydrates that will raise your triglyceride levels.
High Fiber Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates that are rich in dietary fiber such as whole grain cereals, oat bran, brown rice, baked potatoes with the skin and whole wheat pasta will not raise your triglyceride levels if your total calorie intake is adequate for maintaining a healthy body weight, as reported in Pub Med. gov.
Testing Your Triglycerides
Your doctor can check your triglycerides as part of a test also known as a lipid profile. You'll have to fast for nine to 12 hours before blood can be drawn for accurate triglyceride measurements, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your triglyceride level is considered normal if it is less than 150 mg per deciliter.
