12 Foods That Contain Surprisingly Many Carbohydrates

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Have you thought about starting a low carb diet? If so, you probably know that you will have to give up certain foods such as pizza, pasta, bread and potatoes. But there are others foods rich in carbohydrateswhich you should also be careful about.

It is true that not all carbohydrates are the same. Refined and simple carbohydrates such as white bread and biscuits undergo processing that removes important nutrients such as fiber, which regulate digestion and keep blood sugar levels stable.

On the other hand, unrefined complex carbohydrates are subject to minimal processing, so that the nutrients and fiber in them remain intact. They will help you feel full for longer, stay in shape and reduce bad cholesterol.

The trap! Although complex carbohydrates are many times more useful than simple ones, they still remain carbohydrates. So, if you decide to go on a low carb diet, be careful with the amounts you eat of them.

Here are 12 surprises high carb foodsthat contain more carbohydrates than a slice of white bread:

1. Dried fruits

¼ a glass of dried apricots contains 20 g of carbohydrates, ¼ a glass of dried figs 24 g, and ¼ a glass of raisins - 32 g.

Do not be fooled that in dried form these fruits have the same carbohydrate content as when fresh, because the sugar in them is much more concentrated.

2. Boils

½ a glass of boiled lentils contains 20 g of carbohydrates, ½ a glass of boiled black beans - also 20 g, and ½ a glass of boiled chickpeas - 22 g. many carbohydrates.

3. Yogurt

1 cup of low-fat yogurt contains 16 g of carbohydrates.

You might expect sweetened yogurt to be high in carbohydrates due to added sugar, but plain yogurt is also high carb food. This is because both types still contain lactose.

4. Fruit juice

A glass of orange juice contains 26 g of carbohydrates, and a glass of apple - 28 g, and this is if they are unsweetened. Both in dried fruits and in fruit juices, sugar is very concentrated. Although a glass of fresh fruit juice contains a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, there are twice as many carbohydrates as a glass of soda. For sweetened juices and nectars, of course, the level of carbohydrates will be even higher.

5. Quinoa

½ A glass of boiled quinoa contains 20 g of carbohydrates.

These are actually seeds, not grains. But that doesn't mean this superfood is low in carbs. In fact, a cup of cooked quinoa has the same amount of carbohydrates as a cup of cooked spaghetti.

6. Bananas

An average banana contains about 27 g of carbohydrates.

A similar portion of another fruit may fit into the diet, but not the banana. Unlike most fruits, bananas contain starch. A medium banana is equivalent in carbohydrate content to two slices of bread.

7. Gluten-free bread

There are about 18 g of carbohydrates in one slice.

Just because it's gluten-free doesn't mean it's low in carbs. Most of these gluten-free breads are made from potato or tapioca flour, which are actually rich in carbohydrates. But options made with almond or other low-carb flour can be a great choice.

8. Barbecue sauce

For ¼ cup - 30 g of carbohydrates.

You can add barbecue sauce as protein to chicken or ribs, but most sauces contain a lot of added carbohydrates in the form of sugar, honey, molasses, fruit juice and more.

9. Wholemeal tortilla cakes

One of them contains about 18 g of carbohydrates.

All types of tortilla cakes have a reputation as a more useful version of bread. But in terms of carbohydrates do not differ much from it, even if they are made from wholemeal flour. In fact, wholemeal tortilla cakes contain more carbohydrates than wholemeal bread.

10. Protein powder

The content depends on the different brands, but a typical teaspoon of whey protein isolate contains about 25 g of carbohydrates.

Despite its name, this supplement is far from pure protein. Whey, one of the proteins in milk, contains carbohydrates. In addition, your protein powder also contains sweeteners and can be even more carbohydrate.

11. Sweet potatoes

27 g of carbohydrates for one medium sweet potato.

Photo: Zoritsa

They have always been considered a healthier alternative to cereals. And it certainly is. They are full of nutrients such as vitamin A, potassium and fiber. But that doesn't make them a low-carb food - they're still potatoes.

12. Mango

25 g of carbohydrates for one cup of chopped mango.

Bananas are not the only fruits that are high in carbohydrates - mangoes also contain a decent amount of them. The sweet fruit is perfect for many summer desserts and drinks, but if you want to save carbs, replace it with raspberries - 1 cup of raspberries has 15 g of carbohydrates and contains twice as much fiber.