Marisa Moore on behalf of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bread, pasta and rice are definitely the first to come to mind when the word carbohydrate is mentioned. But there's more to the story. Carbohydrates include a number of other foods.
According to the American Diabetes Association, carbohydrates include:
- all fruits and fruit juices
- all grains including barley, oats, farro and yes rice (all types)
- beans
- starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn and sweet peas
- milk, yogurt and ice cream
- sugar, sweets and sugar sweetened beverages
Bear in mind that some combination foods are also high in carbohydrates. Be sure to account for pizza, macaroni and cheese and even sweet salad dressings like honey mustard or raspberry vinaigrette.
Continue Learning about Carbohydrates
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Carbohydrates
Starches, sugars and fiber are the carbohydrates in food. Carbohydrates are a molecule that plants make during photosynthesis, combining carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are very important in your body's metabolism because they are generally the part of food that is digested most quickly. Carbohydrates can give you quick energy, and cause a rise in blood sugar levels. Diabetics, in particular, need to pay attention to the carbohydrates they eat to help manage their blood sugar. Some carbohydrates, those found in whole grains and leafy vegetables, for example have a much slower impact on blood sugar than carbohydrates in fruits or candy. It's easy to consume a lot of carbohydrates, as foods like breads, pasta, cake, cookies and potatoes are loaded with them. Nutrition experts suggest that you should only get 45 to 65 percent of your daily nutrition from carbohydrates.
