Carbohydrates How carbs fit into a healthy diet. Carbohydrates How carbs fit into a healthy diet. Carbohydrates arent bad, but some may be healthier than others. See why carbs are important for your health and which ones to choose. See why carbohydrates are important for your health and which ones to choose. The type of carbohydrate in your diet is more important than the amount. Learn how to choose healthy sources of carbohydrates. Lowcarbohydrate diets or lowcarb diets are dietary programs that restrict carbohydrate consumption. Foods high in easily digestible carbohydrates e. Thanks to the popularity of lowcarb diets, some carbheavy foods have been unfairly blacklisted. But theres no need to be scared of spuds or ban bananas. This great list of carbohydrate foods will show you the good carbs bad carbs difference and which good carbohydrate foods can keep you fit, trim and healthy. List. Carbohydrate Foods HandoutsWhich foods are high in carbohydrates Here are descriptions and examples of foods which are especially high in carbohydrates. How much and what type of carbohydrate containing foods you eat makes a difference in managing diabetes. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Carbohydrates often get a bad rap, especially when it comes to weight gain. But carbohydrates arent all bad. Because of their numerous health benefits, carbohydrates have a rightful place in your diet. In fact, your body needs carbohydrates to function well. But some carbohydrates might be better for you than others. Understand more about carbohydrates and how to choose healthy carbohydrates. Understanding carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient found in many foods and beverages. Most carbohydrates occur naturally in plant based foods, such as grains. Food manufacturers also add carbohydrates to processed foods in the form of starch or added sugar. Common sources of naturally occurring carbohydrates include Fruits. Vegetables. Milk. Nuts. Grains. Seeds. Orange Shrimp more. Legumes. Types of carbohydrates. There are three main types of carbohydrates Sugar. Sugar is the simplest form of carbohydrate and occurs naturally in some foods, including fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products. Types of sugar include fruit sugar fructose, table sugar sucrose and milk sugar lactose. Starch. Starch is a complex carbohydrate, meaning it is made of many sugar units bonded together. Starch occurs naturally in vegetables, grains, and cooked dry beans and peas. Fiber. Fiber also is a complex carbohydrate. It occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cooked dry beans and peas. More carbohydrate terms Net carbs and glycemic index. Terms such as low carb or net carbs often appear on product labels. But the Food and Drug Administration doesnt regulate these terms, so theres no standard meaning. Typically net carbs is used to mean the amount of carbohydrates in a product excluding fiber, or excluding both fiber and sugar alcohols. You probably have also heard talk about the glycemic index. The glycemic index classifies carbohydrate containing foods according to their potential to raise your blood sugar level. Weight loss diets based on the glycemic index typically recommend limiting foods that are higher on the glycemic index. Foods with a relatively high glycemic index ranking include potatoes and white bread, and less healthy options such as snack foods and desserts that contain refined flours. Many healthy foods, such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and low fat dairy products, are naturally lower on the glycemic index. Feb. 0. 7, 2. 01. Colditz GA. Heathy diet in adults. Accessed Nov. 5, 2. Feldman M, et al. Digestion and absorption of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and protein. In Sleisenger and Fordtrans Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. Philadelphia, Pa. Saunders Elsevier 2. Accessed Nov. 6, 2. Carbohydrate counting and diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed Nov. 6, 2. Duyff RL. USDA food patterns Healthy U. S. style eating pattern. In American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. Hoboken, N. J. John Wiley Sons 2. Li Y, et al. Saturated fats compared with unsaturated fats and sources of carbohydrates in relation to risk of coronary heart disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Hingle MD, et al. Practice paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Selecting nutrient dense foods for good health. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and U. S. Department of Agriculture. Accessed Nov. 6, 2. Bonow RO, et al., eds. Nutrition and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In Braunwalds Heart Disease A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Saunders Elsevier 2. Accessed Nov. 6, 2. See more In depth.