A Truly Brilliant List of High Carbohydrate Foods

Carbohydrates are the most important source of energy for our bodies, and are mainly sourced from plants and dairy products. Here is a list of high carbohydrate foods, which you can include in your diet to reap numerous health benefits.

The human body needs a certain amount of carbohydrate intake so that it can be broken down into glucose and converted into energy. This energy is the fuel that helps us in physical activity and keeps our organs in proper functioning order. Inadequate consumption of carbohydrates can lead to fatigue, weakness, nausea, muscle pain, and decreased resistance to diseases.

On the flip side, excess carbohydrate intake has also been linked to obesity, heart diseases, and diabetes. This is because the excess glucose that is released from the metabolism of carbohydrates is stored in the body in the form of glycogen.

The glycogen reserves are in turn stored in the liver and muscles in the form of fat. A diet that contains excess of carbohydrate food can tip the sugar balance in the body, leaving an individual exhausted and irritated.

Understanding Carbohydrates

As opposed to this, complex carbohydrates are made of a long molecular chain that takes some time to be broken down. Thus, there is regulated release of glucose in the blood, and the fat storage is much less in this case. This is further divided into starchy complex carbohydrates and dietary fibers. Starchy complex carbohydrates present in pasta, potatoes, cereal, and rice should be avoided by people with diabetes, since it is broken down into sugar. Dietary fibers in dry beans, oatmeal, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are good for the body, as they provide the essential carbohydrates without raising the sugar levels.

Foods High in Carbohydrates

Moderate Carbohydrate Foods

Apart from the foods that are extremely high carbohydrates, there are also some foods with moderate levels of carbohydrates of around fifteen to twenty grams per portion.

As you can see, most of the high carbohydrate foods contain simple carbohydrates and should ideally be avoided. This is because, simple carb foods like snacks, baked products, and white bread, whether they contain high or moderate carbs, do nothing for the body other than introduce blank calories. These blank calories only give a short burst of energy for a short period of time, and over-consumption leads to weight gain, tooth decay, and many other health problems. On the other hand, complex carbs release more energy for a longer duration, and have an important role to play in the body’s metabolism, digestion, muscular and central nervous system activities. Some high carbohydrate foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, oatmeal, and whole wheat grains provide adequate nutrition along with vitamins, minerals, and fibers, that are essential for physical fitness and overall health. So include as many of these as you can in your daily diet, and follow a regular exercise regime to stay fit and healthy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by a medical professional.