List of High Carbohydrate Foods

Carbohydrates are required by us since they are a primary source of energy for our bodies. There are three major types of carbohydrates - simple, complex or starch, and dietary fibers (both soluble and insoluble). Simple carbohydrates are found in milk, fruits and refined sugar, while complex carbohydrates or starch can be found in grains or cereals and root vegetables. A high intake of complex carbohydrates offers several health benefits. It is desirable that a healthy diet contain plenty of starchy foods. Unrefined carbohydrates such as brown rice or whole-grain foods are the most beneficial for health, as they are rich sources of vitamin B and essential dietary fibers.

Benefits of High Carbohydrate Foods

High carb foods are known to offer a number of health benefits. This is especially true for complex carbohydrate foods that contain high amounts of soluble and insoluble fibers and resistant starches. Here are some major benefits that can be derived from foods high in carbohydrates:

• Resistant starches and insoluble fiber that are naturally found in foods such as green bananas, navy beans and whole-grain bread are beneficial for colon health. They also ensure regular bowel movements and, thus, prevent constipation.
• They also contribute towards lowering blood cholesterol levels and cutting down excess body weight.
• High carbohydrate foods act as the body's fuel, improve muscle contractions and aid in several physiological functions.
• They make you feel energetic and strong by either elevating blood glucose levels or preventing them from dropping dangerously.
• An adequate carbohydrate intake can help reduce problems in the functioning of the central nervous system.
• Complex carbohydrates are high-fiber foods, which help improve digestion, stabilize blood sugar and maintain energy levels.

List of Foods Rich in Carbohydrates

So, what are carbohydrate-rich foods? Well,the following list of high carb foods tells you all and is divided into different categories so that you find it easy to plan your diet in such a way so that you can include as many beneficial carbohydrate-rich foods in it as possible.

Cereal, Grains and Bread

• Bagels
• White bread
• Whole wheat bread
• White rice
• Wheat bran
• Muesli
• Buckwheat
• Barley
• Corn
• Brown Rice
• Shredded wheat
• Oatmeal
• Spaghetti
• Pasta
• Muffins

Fruits

• Apricot
• Dates
• Blueberry
• Banana
• Fig
• Grapes
• Apple
• Orange
• Pear
• Pineapple
• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Raisins

Beans, Pulses and Legumes

• Chickpeas
• White beans
• Black-eyed peas
• Green peas
• Refried beans
• Garbanzo beans
• Navy beans
• Kidney beans
• Lentils

Root Vegetables

• Potato
• Sweet Potato
• Yams
• Sweet potato
• Carrot
• Radish

Dairy Products

• Low-fat milk
• Low fat, plain yogurt
• Chocolate milk
• Skimmed milk

Confectionery

• Chocolates
• Candies
• Cookies
• Pastries
• Cakes

Foods containing simple carbohydrates include table sugar, candy, cake, corn syrup, fruit juice, bread and pasta made from white flour and most packaged cereals and are, as such, some of the major high carb foods to avoid. This is so because simple carbs do nothing for the body other than introduce blank calories. These blank calories only give you a short burst of energy for a short period of time and over-consumption leads to weight gain, tooth decay and many other health problems. On the other hand, complex carbs release more energy for a longer duration and have an important role to play in the body's metabolism, digestion, muscular and central nervous system activities. High carbohydrate foods provide adequate nutrition along with vitamins, minerals and fibers that are essential for physical fitness and overall health. So include as many of these as you can in your daily diet and have a regular exercise regime to stay fit and healthy.