All Carbohydrates Aren’t Bad For You

Foods that contain simple carbohydrates aren’t necessarily bad for you — it depends on the food. For instance, fruits and dairy products contain some simple carbs, but they are drastically different from other foods that contain simple carbs, like cookies and cakes. Processed sweets tend to contain refined sugar, too, and lack key nutrients that your body needs to be healthy, according to the American Heart Association.

Just like simple carbs aren’t necessarily bad, complex carbohydrates aren’t necessarily good for you — it depends on the presence of fiber as well as the type of starches that make it fast or slow to digest. The straight, long chain of glucose molecules in Amylose makes it a slow digesting starch, which is healthier for you. Amylopectin on another hand, because of its branched structure of glucose molecules, is quicker and more readily digested, making it less desirable.

In short, not all simple carbs are fast-digesting or bad, and not all complex carbs are slow digesting or good, so it’s best to get to know your carbs well.

Here is a guide to a list of foods that are fast-digesting and slow digesting: