Fruits and vegetables are a more substantial source of carbohydrate than most people realize.
At some point, starch became synonymous with carbohydrate. While pasta and bagels are carbohydrates, and you do need carbs for fuel, they're often not the best sources, especially if you're trying to keep weight off. Starchy carbs are easy to overeat, and any surplus goes to your fat stores. Your brain operates on sugar, and when you eat bagels or potatoes, your body turns them into sugar and delivers them to your cells quickly, which makes your brain happy and leaves you wanting more.
Fruits and vegetables, by contrast, are rich in carbs but often lower in calories and also digest more slowly. You're less likely to plow through so many berries and carrots that you end up with more fuel than you need. As a bonus, plant foods are loaded with vitamins, minerals and immunity-boosting phyto-nutrients that make you healthier and stronger, and help to burn more calories.
When possible, pair your carbs with some protein. Lean meats, nut butters, fish and eggs slow digestion, so you feel full sooner, get more even energy from your meals and stay full longer. The amino acids in protein also help repair, build and maintain muscle tissue.
Here's an idea of how many carbohydrates are found in common fruits and vegetables; your body will digest these foods over time for a sustainable energy.
Listed at the bottom right are amounts of carbs found in pasta and grains. Surprisingly, it's around the same amount, but your body will burn through these carbs much faster leaving you hungry sooner.
