Not all carbs are created equal, and while it’s best to keep high-sugar, refined carbs like white bread, sugary cereals, jams and refined potato products to a minimum, there are plenty of healthy carbohydrates that you’re tucking in to every day, perhaps without even noticing.
Text: Deirdre Fogarty/The Australian Women’s Weekly / Additional Reporting: Sean Tan
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Thanks to their high sugar content, apples are quite high in carbohydrates, coming in at about 14 grams apiece. While they’re not as nutritionally dense as some other fruit, apples can improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Totally tasty, but a super high-carb food; one medium banana boasts a hefty 27 grams of carbohydrates. But they’re also a fantastic source of potassium, and can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health, as well as combatting cramps.
Believe it or not, your go-to hummus snack is actually pretty carb-heavy. One cup of drained garbanzo beans clocks up more than 30 grams of carbohydrates, although a lot of that is fibre. So keep cooking them in to healthy dishes like this Moroccan chickpea stew.
Adding a cup of sweet corn to a salad racks up 30 grams of carbohydrates, but before you swear off those nuggety little kernels, listen to this: Corn is a great source of fibre and vitamin C, as well as nifty antioxidants that promote healthy vision. We say keep nibbling!
These citrus powerhouses of vitamin C often run a high carb count due to their high sugar content. Keep tucking in though; oranges help the body absorb iron, reducing the risk of anaemia.
While gluten-free and incredibly nutritious, cooked quinoa is a high-carb food. Thanks to all of that fibre and protein it contains, though, it keeps you feeling fuller for longer, and helps to maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Say it isn’t so: Sausages are a sneaky carb food; we are talking about the variety that comes with the breadcrumbs they are often stuffed with. While they’re not packing as heavy a punch as bananas, it might be something to keep an eye on if you’re on a low-carb diet.
Lots of people swap out regular white potatoes for sweet potatoes in an effort to cut down on carbs. Sweet potato is a nutritious choice; it’s packed with calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. So instead of sinful French fries, try to always go for sweet potato fries as the healthier option.
Fair enough, you knew that the hot chips on your plate were carbohydrates, but the ketchup you’re dipping them in is as well; in fact, just two tablespoons of tomato sauce contains 10 grams of carbs. Tomatoes do contain lycopene though, which is thought to help ward off cognitive decline.
Although yam is considered a starchy vegetable, it is made up of complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre, which helps keep the body’s blood sugar levels even. That makes it a low-GI food. Yam also contains a host of nutrients and antioxidants which are beneficial to the body.
Many of us grew up loving fragrant white rice, and it’s one of the most important Asian staple. But if you worry about high carbs, one solution is to switch to brown rice – its whole grain goodness combined with high nutrients like manganese and selenium makes it a much healthier version of white rice.
Our favourite burger and salad topping sure has a lot of carbs; 8.2 grams per beetroot, to be exact. Beets are pretty low in calories though, and can help to lower blood pressure. Go beetroot!