- Potatoes are high in carbohydrates.potato image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
Carbohydrates are the organic compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Generally speaking, the polysaccharides found in carbohydrates store energy and are the most common source of energy in living things. However, they are not an essential nutrient; humans can obtain all of the necessary energy from alternative sources such as protein and fats. Often, foods high in starch have significant amounts of carbohydrates, or sugars, as carbs are commonly labeled. - Products made from grains such as oats, barley, rye and wheat tend to be high in complex and simple carbohydrates. Common grain products include bread, breakfast cereals, crackers, biscuits, pies, pancakes, cookies, pasta and pastries. Some companies make low-carb breads.
- Rice is a common source of carbohydrates and a diet staple around the world, particularly in Asia and Southeast Asia, South America, the Caribbean and Central America. Rice is the second most commonly produced grain in the world behind corn. Raw rice is used to make flour, or beverages such as rice milk and sake. Rice is also used to make noodles, or as an ingredient in everything from soups and stews to sushi, porridge and casseroles. Corn is consumed in vast quantities in the Americas. It is used to make cereals, polenta, hominy or grits, cornstarch, cooking oil, corn syrup, whiskey, cakes, ice cream, and of course, popcorn.
- There are more than 4,000 types of potatoes in the world. The tuberous vegetable is high in starch and carbohydrates. Since it is cheap to produce and grows abundantly, it is a staple in poorer countries or nations with high populations, such as China and India. Potatoes are used for soups, stews, casseroles, pancakes, chips and French fries. They are also used to make beverages such as potcheen, vodka and akvavit.
