27 Ridiculously Delicious Carb-On-Carb Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 worst carb? ›

1. Sugary Foods. Most people already think of many of the foods in this category as unhealthy treats. Candy, soft drinks, and sweet desserts such as cake, chocolate, and ice cream are all expected entries on a list of carbs to avoid to lose weight.

The healthiest sources of carbohydrates—unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans—promote good health by delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients.

Both men and women in this age range should make sure 45-65% of their daily calories are coming from carbohydrates. For example: A sedentary man should plan to eat 225-325 grams/day. A sedentary woman should plan to eat 180-260 grams/day.

As far as how many carbohydrates to eat, Pratt says 100 to 150 grams of carbohydrates is safe for most people who are trying to lose weight. It may be better for some people to eat carbs consistently throughout the day. “You can also break it up evenly with 40 to 50 grams of carbs per meal,” she says.

You don't have to follow a strict low carb diet. Some research suggests that replacing refined carbs with unprocessed starchy carbs may improve metabolic health and reduce belly fat ( 34 , 35 ).

A medium (12-inch) thin-crust pizza without any cheese and toppings has 17 grams of carbs per slice. A regular-crust pizza averages 30 grams of carbs per slice. Tip: Thin-crust pizza has 5-10 fewer grams of carbs per slice than regular-crust or pan pizza.

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite carbohydrate sources to eat with chicken; these honey mustard-glazed roasted sweet potatoes are no exception. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, which helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. They're also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese.

THE WORST: Refined or processed carbohydrates

These are carbohydrates like white bread, white sugar, white flour pasta, and white rice that have been stripped of their blood-sugar-buffering fiber, as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, things both your body and hair are big fans of.

What carbs are the worst for belly fat? ›

"Eating refined carbs like bread, rice, pasta and cookies [in excess] will increase our belly fat. If we want to lose it, we should focus on eating nutrient- and fiber-rich carbs such as vegetables and low-glycemic fruits," says Djordjevic.

They're also chock full of starch, which is a carbohydrate. But even though a potato is considered a complex “healthy” carb, your body digests these carbs faster than other kinds of complex carbs. These broken-down carbs flood your blood with sugar. This makes your blood sugar spike quickly.

Simple carbs, which are the so-called “bad” carbs, consist of short chains of sugar molecules. They include sugar, honey and other sweeteners, and are also found in dairy products, fruit and fruit juices, and in highly processed foods.

Complex carbohydrates—or starches—have longer-chained sugars and fiber, and they take longer to digest. These include whole-grain breads and pastas, peas, beans and legumes. The body breaks down these carbohydrates into simple sugars, which is the major source of energy for the body.

Complex carbs are harder for your body to break down and cause a more gradual increase in blood sugar compared to simple carbs. Foods rich in complex carbs like beans, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds that support your health.