Carbohydrates are your body's primary source of energy. They are in sugars, starches, processed foods and fiber. Consumed in moderation and combined with regular exercise, carbohydrates are a vital aspect of a healthy diet. These days, however, people have difficulty consuming carbohydrates in moderation and finding enough time to exercise daily. This causes your body to transform the carbohydrates you eat into fat, which can lead to obesity and related health complications.
Baked and Fried Potatoes
A standard low carbohydrate diet (such as the Zone diet, Atkins and Protein Power) advises you to consume less than 100 g of carbohydrates each day, though this figure differs based on your level of physical activity, gender and physical size. A large baked potato, for example, has 55 g of carbohydrates. A large order of McDonald's French fries contains 70 g of carbohydrates.
Breads
Bread is one of the primary sources of carbohydrates. Pizza crusts, sandwiches, hot dog and burger buns, bagels and any other food products that rely on bread (and of course, bread itself) should all be consumed in moderation.
Sugars
Sugar is in most of the foods you eat, but there is more in some foods than others. Fruits that are very sweet, such as pineapples, raspberries, strawberries and grapes are higher in carbohydrate count than other types of fruits. Candies and any other foods that contain corn syrup also contain a large amount of carbohydrates, such as fountain drinks and sodas. Pastries and cake are a double source of high carbohydrates, providing you with large quantities of both bread and sugar at the same time. Breakfast cereals and chocolate are also high in carbohydrate counts.
Flour-Based Foods
The pastas used to make most Italian food dishes contain high simple carbohydrate quantities. Corn tortillas and flour used to make Mexican food also have high carbohydrate counts.
Specific Kinds of Dairy Products
While dairy is normally thought of as being a low carbohydrate food, some dairy products are actually quite high in carbs. Many low-fat milks are high in carbohydrate counts, as are low-fat and nonfat ice creams and yogurts.
Some Beans
Some beans contain a large percentage of complex carbohydrates, such as white beans, chickpeas, refried beans, black eye peas, navy beans and garbanzo beans.
Vegetables
Vegetables that are high in carbohydrates (besides potatoes) include carrots and corn.
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