If you are counting carbs, or at least paying attention to the amount and type of carbs you eat, it can help to understand the difference between "good" and "bad" carbs. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, some carbs promote health while others, if eaten too frequently or in quantities that are too large, can potentially lead to health problems.
Understanding the List
According to GroupHealth.com, between 50 and 60 percent of the calories a person consumes each day should come from carbohydrates. However, that doesn't mean that the carbs you'll find in candy, cookies and other highly processed foods are the same as those in vegetables and whole grains. That's where the idea of good carbs and bad carbs comes from.
It basically breaks down into simple carbs being "bad" and complex carbs being "good." Complex and simple are terms that deal with how food is broken down into energy (sugar) in the body.
Good Carbs/Bad Carbs Printable
Click the image above to download a printable outlining good and bad carbohydrates. To access the printable:
- Click the image.
- Choose File-Print.
- The printable will print on your computer.
If you're having problems printing, use this troubleshooting guide to help. You can use this printable to help you make healthier carbohydrate choices when you shop, eat out, or cook.
Complex Carbs
Complex carbs are the ones that give your body the best fuel. They are usually found in foods high in fiber, which break down more slowly, giving you a steady blood sugar level through the day and making you feel less hungry and irritable when mid-afternoon rolls around.
It's a great idea to get more of these carbs into your daily diet:
- Fresh fruit, ideally those with a low glycemic Index like apricots, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries
- Non-starchy vegetables
- Whole grains and foods made from whole grains, such as certain types of bread and cereal
- Nuts
- Legumes
- Dairy products that are not sweetened with sugar, such as yogurt, sour cream, cheese and milk
Simple Carbs
Your body quickly breaks down simple carbs, giving your blood sugar a spike and sending you running back to the kitchen or snack machine within hours of your last fix. Unless you're an athlete or need a sudden rush of energy for some reason, it's usually best to avoid these carbs in your daily diet:
- Refined grains like white bread, white rice and enriched pasta
- Processed foods such as cake, candy, cookies and chips
- White potatoes
- Sweetened soft drinks
- Sugar
Choosing the Right Carbs
Cutting back on the bad carbs can help you lose weight, as well as give you a feeling of more energy and less irritability. Carbs are the fuel that makes your body run. Putting the right fuel in your engine makes a world of difference.
Feel Full Longer
Because good carb foods tend to have higher fiber and lower calories than many processed bad carb foods, you'll find yourself feeling fuller while eating fewer calories. You may even find that you're eating a bigger volume of food.
If you think about the kinds of foods you're adding and the ones you're giving up, this makes sense. It would take a lot more fruit to equal the same number of calories you'd eat in a candy bar, and you'll probably feel satisfied after one piece or serving of fruit which is much lower in calories than the candy bar. Even better, you'll feel satisfied for a long period of time and won't feel the need for another unhealthy snack later in the day.
Not a Strict Rule
Just because some foods have less desirable carbs does not mean you should kick them out of your life forever. Following the above list should not be seen as a strict rule. You should get most of your carbs each day from the "good" list, but you certainly don't have to cut out all rice or skip the birthday cake as long as you eat these items in moderation.
