Health & Fitness Tools

List Of Carbohydrate

30th April, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Carbohydrates have somehow gotten a bad reputation over the years. While calories in carbs can add up, foods that contain carbs are essential for providing energy, proper body function and adding fiber to the diet. The following is a list of carbohydrate contents found in starches.

When you think “carbohydrate” you probably think of pasta, rice and bread. These are good examples of carbohydrates that can be “good” or “bad.” The good kinds are vital to good health and provide good amounts of fiber. These are whole grain rices as well as pastas and breads made from whole grains. The bad varieties are those made from refined flour and refined grains like white rice.

Most bread items will provide 15 grams of carbs. This includes white or wheat bread (1 oz) a dinner roll, mini bagel and a croissant. Light and/or low carb bread usually contains 7-9 grams. Larger items will have more: hot dog and hamburger buns will usually have 20 g while bulky sandwich rolls may have 30g. Muffins and English muffins will also usually contain 30g.

Both white and brown rice pack 45g per cooked cup. Spaghetti and other pastas have 40g per cooked cup, although some smaller shapes will contain less, such as small shells which have about 30g. One cup of cooked oatmeal will give you 30g of carbohydrates. Other cereals can vary from 15 to 45 grams per serving. Always check labels for accurate information.

Though the carb content of these starches is equal, the refined and processed (white) versions of these items offer no nutritional value. The fiber and other nutrients are destroyed, leaving the calories empty and sabotaging your health goals.

Diets high in these empty calories tend to lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. A wise decision is to replace these bad carbs with the good kinds. You will have more energy, feel better and be in better overall health.