Carbohydrates
Alternative names:
complex carbohydrates; diet and carbohydrates; simple carbohydrates; simple sugars; starches; sugars
Recommendations:
It is recommended that 50 to 60% of our total calories come from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates (starches) and naturally occurring sugars rather than processed or refined sugars.
High-sugar foods are simple carbohydrates that provide calories, but minimal nutritional benefits. Within this category, healthy choices include fruit and low-fat or skim milk.
To increase complex carbohydrates: - Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Eat more whole grains, rice, breads and cereals.
- Eat more beans, lentils, and dried peas.
Ounce for ounce, starches contain the same number of calories as protein and less than half the calories of fat. Carbohydrates provide 4 Calories per gram, and fat provides 9 Calories per gram. Therefore, it is wise to limit processed and refined sugars.
Here are recommended serving sizes for foods high in carbohydrate: - vegetables: 1 cup of raw vegetables, or 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, or 3/4 cup of vegetable juice
- fruits: 1 medium size fruit (such as 1 medium apple or 1 medium orange), 1/2 cup of a canned or chopped fruit, or 3/4 cup of fruit juice
- breads and cereals: 1 slice of bread; 1 ounce or 2/3 cup of ready-to-eat cereal; 1/2 cup of cooked rice, pasta or cereal; 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, lentils, or dried peas
- dairy: 1 cup of skim or lowfat milk
For information about how many servings are recommended see the food guide pyramid.
Here is a sample 2,000 Calorie menu of which 50 to 60% of its total calories are from carbohydrates:
- breakfast
- 1 cup of raspberries
- 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened cereal, with 1/2 sliced banana
- 1 cup of skim milk
- 1 slice of whole wheat toast
- 1 teaspoon of margarine
- 1 teaspoon of jelly
- coffee or tea
- lunch
- turkey pita pocket sandwich (2 slices of whole wheat pita bread, 3 ounces of lean turkey breast )
- 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of green peppers
- 1 tablespoon of salad dressing
- 1 cup of skim milk
- 2 fresh medium-sized peaches
- dinner
- 4 ounces of broiled salmon with 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and sprinkled with paprika
- 1 cup of pasta
- 1 dinner roll
- 6 steamed broccoli stalks with sprinkled black pepper
- salad:
- 1 cup lettuce
- 1/4 cup of sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup of sliced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of sliced carrots
- 1 tablespoon of salad dressing
- 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries, sweetened with 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1-inch slice of angel food cake
- 1 cup of skim milk
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