Complex carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates are made mostly of long strands of simple sugars. Found in grains, fruits, legumes(peas and beans), and other vegetables. Complex carbohydrates include three types of dietary fiber

- cellulose

- hemicellulose and gums

- and starches.

Cereal grains, such as wheat, rice and corn are rich sources of starch, constituting a large part of the world's food supply, generally in the form of breads and pastas. Starches are also found in potatoes and legumes.

One starch molecule may contain from 300 to 1,000 or more sugar units. The giant molecules are packed side by side in a plant root or seed, producing energy for the plant. Both simple and complex carbohydrates are turned to glucose in the body and are used as energy. Most of someones carbohydrate intake should come from complex carbohydrates (starches) and naturally occurring sugars rather than processed or refined sugars. Complex carbohydrates, often referred to as "starchy" foods, include:

- starchy vegetables

- legumes

- breads and cereals

Complex carbohydrates include starches, dextrins, dietary fiber, and functional fiber. They are complex sugars, and our body has a harder time digesting them so they are less easily converted to fat. Complex carbohydrates are broken down more slowly and produce even, sustained energy as opposed to simple carbs which produce short bursts. Complex carbs can be found in whole grain breads, cereals, flour, pasta, rice, corn, oats, potatoes,