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Home » Ask a dietitian » Complex carbs vs Regular carbs?

Complex carbs vs Regular carbs?

ChrisRE213

I’ve always heard that complex carbs are better than regular carbs, but how do I know what they are without Googling them all the time?

Parents
  • +1

    All carbs provide fuel for the body by making sugar for energy.  

    There are 2 types complex carbohydrates (takes your body longer to break them down) and simple (quick burning fuels breaking down faster) carbohydrates.

    Complex
    Look at fiber, which help to slow the breakdown of sugar.  Fruits with skins you can eat, such as pears, apples, and berries as well as starchy vegetables; sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin. Beans ie:, kidney, white, black, pinto, or garbanzo, beans, lentils and split peas, whole grains are complex ie: Popcorn, millet, and bulgur.  

    Look for bread made with whole grains. Barley, rye, oats, and whole wheat and brown rice

    Simple
    Brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, and molasses, turbinado and agave nectar, white flour, more processed, added sugar (anything ending in ose) some simple carbs occur naturally in foods and are part of balanced diet; most dairy and milk contain milk sugar which doesn’t make it complex but does make it an exception in delivering healthy nutrients

Reply
  • +1

    All carbs provide fuel for the body by making sugar for energy.  

    There are 2 types complex carbohydrates (takes your body longer to break them down) and simple (quick burning fuels breaking down faster) carbohydrates.

    Complex
    Look at fiber, which help to slow the breakdown of sugar.  Fruits with skins you can eat, such as pears, apples, and berries as well as starchy vegetables; sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin. Beans ie:, kidney, white, black, pinto, or garbanzo, beans, lentils and split peas, whole grains are complex ie: Popcorn, millet, and bulgur.  

    Look for bread made with whole grains. Barley, rye, oats, and whole wheat and brown rice

    Simple
    Brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, and molasses, turbinado and agave nectar, white flour, more processed, added sugar (anything ending in ose) some simple carbs occur naturally in foods and are part of balanced diet; most dairy and milk contain milk sugar which doesn’t make it complex but does make it an exception in delivering healthy nutrients

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