List of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. They consist of sugars, starches and fibers. Our liver breaks down sugars and starches into glucose which is the main energy source for our cells, tissues and organ function. Fiber prevents constipation, diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. Some carbohydrates are better for you than others.

Simple Sugars

• Simple sugars are a carbohydrate found in refined sugars like table sugar, candy, fudge, sugar sweetened drinks, white bread, cakes, and cookies. Milk and fruit are also carbs but the difference is that the refined sugars don't contain vitamins, fiber or nutrients like calcium. Milk and fruit contain many vitamins. Products made with refined sugar don't offer sufficient nutrition.

Complex Sugars

• Complex sugars are carbohydrates which take longer to digest than simple sugars and are also referred to as starch. Starches are grain products, bread and cereals, crackers, pasta, rice, starchy vegetables and legumes. Unrefined grains such as whole grain bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole fruit and beans contain vitamins and minerals. Foods made of processed flour and rice don't contain many vitamins and minerals and are consequently not the best choice in your daily food intake.

Dietary Fibers

• Dietary fibers are non-digestible forms of carbs. There are two types, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber regulates blood pressure and allows sugars to be absorbed more slowly. It's found in oat bran, quinoa, barley, dried peas and beans, soy, potatoes, bananas, oranges, apples, rice, pasta and psyllium husk.

  Insoluble fiber is found in whole wheat bread and cereals, brown rice, corn bran, couscous, green beans, dark green leafy vegetables and seeds. A variety of both are good choices in your diet.