How to tell complex carbohydrates from simple carbohydrates?!
Question: can anyone tell me how to tell complex from simple carbohydrates by looking at the nutritional content on the back of the package? i am NOT looking for a list of foods that have either complex or simple carbohydrates, i want to be able to tell on my own without referring to a list, like fruit has complex and white bread has simple carbs unless that is the ONLY way to tell. thanks for any help.
Answers: can anyone tell me how to tell complex from simple carbohydrates by looking at the nutritional content on the back of the package? i am NOT looking for a list of foods that have either complex or simple carbohydrates, i want to be able to tell on my own without referring to a list, like fruit has complex and white bread has simple carbs unless that is the ONLY way to tell. thanks for any help.
Simple carbohydrates are digested quickly. Many simple carbohydrates contain refined sugars and few essential vitamins and minerals. Examples include fruits, fruit juice, milk, yoghurt, honey, molasses and sugar.
Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and are usually packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals. Examples are vegetables, breads, cereals, legumes and pasta.
All this said, life isn't that simple. Most of what you eat in the prepared foods line will be combinations of both. Simple carbs, ie sugars- will end with an -ose. But you also have to look at those labels for corn syrup solids, honey, etc. Those are simple carbs. Bread is mostly a complex carb, white or wheat. Most food you eat is a combination of the two things. But basically, if it tastes sweet, it probably has an abundance of simple carbs. If it doesn't taste sweet, it will be a combo, and mostly complex. Hope this helps you distinguish between the two. Unfortunately, you still really need to look at the labels sometimes. If sugar leads the list, then most of the food will be simple carbs. Just remember the ingredients are listed in a descending order from what's the most to the least.
basically simple carbohydrates are basically known as "bad food" as they are often high in sugar such as chocolate, sweets, alcohol Complex carbohydrates often consist of wholegrains They are the ones you should be consuming