List of foods with slow carbohydrates - detailed table


You've probably heard that fast carbohydrates make you fat and lead to weight gain, while slow carbohydrates help with weight loss. However, what exactly is their difference? Why does our body react so differently to the same substance?

The answer is simple - simple carbohydrates, available today in unlimited quantities, have been extremely rare products throughout the centuries-old history of mankind. Despite the fact that human physiology has remained virtually unchanged, nutrition has undergone significant changes even over the past 50 years.

Fast carbohydrates in nature

Typical examples of simple carbohydrates are sugar in all its forms (ranging from jam, honey and sweet fruits), as well as most white flour products (primarily sweet pastries and bread). In fact, any sweets are fast carbohydrates.

In order for the body of our ancient ancestor to receive the amount of sugar equivalent to one can of cola, he would have to eat 3-4 meters of a plant called “sugar cane”. Honey, another source of fast carbohydrates, has always been considered a delicacy available in exceptional cases.

Simple carbohydrates: food table

You need to understand that orange juice (even freshly squeezed) is a source of fast carbohydrates, just like a whole orange. The presence of a small amount of dietary fiber (fiber) cannot reduce the harm of natural sugar contained in sweet fruits.

In addition, regular potatoes, formally considered a product with slow carbohydrates (it contains starch, not glucose), should also be under special attention of those who are trying to lose weight. Its replacement can be yam (sweet potato), which is closer to pumpkin and carrots.

What are fast carbohydrates?

Fast (simple) carbohydrates are carbohydrates that consist of a minimum number of structural elements (one or two molecules) and are absorbed by the body as quickly as possible. In most cases, such carbohydrates have a distinct sweet taste and are highly soluble in water.

Unlike complex carbohydrates (starch, or starch), fast carbohydrates take only a few minutes to be processed into blood sugar, provide a burst of energy and provoke an increase in insulin levels - this means that they have a high glycemic index.

Glycemic index

In fact, what is important is not whether a particular food product belongs to the list of fast or slow carbohydrates, but what type of carbohydrate this product has. It is this fact that will determine how quickly the carbohydrates contained in a particular product enter the bloodstream during digestion.

On the other hand, the reason for refusing to regularly consume sweet carbonated drinks, baked goods and jam should not be the presence of fast carbohydrates in them, but the complex harm to the normal functioning of metabolism and the increased risk of developing diabetes.

Harm of fast carbohydrates

The most important harm caused by regular consumption of large doses of fast carbohydrates is a gradual disruption of the mechanisms of glucose absorption. It’s as if the body stops “noticing” sugar in the blood and cannot utilize it. Blood glucose levels rise, putting your metabolism at risk.

This disease is called “type 2 diabetes mellitus” and develops in most cases precisely because of poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms include obesity, general and muscle weakness, chronic depression and persistent dry mouth.

Products containing fast carbohydrates are primarily sugar and honey, as well as ice cream, baked goods, sweet fruits and vegetables and regular carbonated drinks. Examples of complex carbohydrates include cereals, beans and legumes, green vegetables and various pastas.

What role do fast carbohydrates play in weight loss? List of foods, table for weight loss, the essence of their “work”, how and when to eat them? Tips and nuances. Food products contain two types of carbohydrates - simple and complex. Fast carbohydrates have the ability to increase blood sugar levels in a short time because they have a high GI. Many believe that they are harmful to health, and in order to lose weight, foods with simple carbohydrates should be excluded from the diet. Is this really so, and how can you “take” fast carbohydrates? We will tell you about the list of products with them and here you will find a table for losing weight specifically on fast carbohydrates. First we recommend the video:

The main reasons why you should not give up carbohydrates when losing weight

  1. While maintaining a diet, you cannot completely abandon the consumption of carbohydrates, including simple ones. The reason is that they are the main source of energy for the body, without which mental and physical activity is impossible.
  2. Carbohydrate foods are very satiating. Nutrients are found in many foods that taste good and are highly filling. Consumption of these products allows you to quickly feel full and eliminate the discomfort of hunger that usually accompanies a diet. You just need to replace simple ones with .
  3. Carbohydrate-free metabolism - ketosis - is practically impossible under normal conditions; this is fraught with negative consequences for the body, which are very difficult to eliminate. You can only engage in such severe carbohydrate-free diets under the supervision of an experienced person.
  4. Proper weight loss requires moderation. There is no point in going to extremes. When it comes to health. Switching completely to protein foods leads to metabolic disorders, breakdown, and the result from the diet will be minimal or zero. In this case, the person will experience constant stress.

You cannot achieve positive long-term results by following a strict diet, drinking excessive amounts of weight loss tea, or eating miracle pills. You should organize your nutrition properly. At the same time, you can find a place in your diet for fast carbohydrates; the main thing is to know when and in what quantities you can consume them.

What are fast carbohydrates and where do they “live”?

Monosaccharides are the simplest compounds that the body spends minimal energy on processing. Most of the carbohydrates go to the muscle mass and liver, where they are stored in the form of glycogen. Part of the energy is spent on maintaining life. With insufficient physical activity, excess is safely deposited as fat deposits. The body does not expend as much energy as it receives, and it stores excess carbohydrates in reserve.

We can say that only an excess of carbohydrates has a negative effect on your figure. And people get fat from eating not fatty foods, but high-carbohydrate foods. At the same time, it is advisable to reduce the amount of fast carbohydrates, but not give them up completely.

If you approach your diet wisely, you can not limit yourself to your favorite dishes, but wisely distribute the energy that comes from food. To do this, you can change your habits and lifestyle. So, what do fast carbohydrates contain?

List of products, weight loss table, features

Simple carbohydrates are found in large quantities in the following foods:

  • Sweets: granulated sugar, honey, jams and berry syrups, condensed milk, sweets and cookies. This group does not include stevia and sweeteners;
  • Dried fruits. According to a food expert, the sugar concentration in dried fruits is higher than in fresh ones;
  • Fresh fruit also has a high sugar content; this can include sweet drinks, which do not bring any benefit and do not satisfy hunger;
  • Baking: pies and gingerbreads, cakes and buns, white bread. All products containing flour or sugar. These products can be safely excluded from the diet of people who play sports and want to lose weight. They can easily be replaced with foods with moderate GI:
  • Fresh fruits, it is recommended to consume mostly apples and citrus fruits;
  • Berries, and carbohydrates are contained in lower concentrations in sour berries;
  • Vegetables. Even potatoes can be included in the diet menu, but only boiled or baked.

How to lose weight with fast carbohydrates?

If you have read the list of products and the weight loss table, you probably still have questions - how? Why do such seemingly high-calorie foods help you lose weight? However, they are in vain considered enemies of the female figure. Fast carbohydrates simply need to be consumed correctly, then there will be no threat to your waistline. Few people are able to completely refuse their favorite chocolate or cake for a colleague’s birthday. To avoid problems, you should use the following rules:

  1. Time. Sweet tooth lovers can indulge in such products, but only in the first half of the day. Until 12 o'clock the body processes sugar more easily, and in the late afternoon the body stores excess carbohydrates in fat layers.
  2. The company plays a very important role. If you consume fiber, pectin and protein along with sugars, carbohydrate absorption will slow down. Therefore, you should give preference to such delicacies as marmalade, marshmallows, curd desserts, and baked fruits.
  3. Don't get carried away! And after eating sweets in limited quantities, it is worth loading your body physically. For example, take a walk to a distant cafe at lunch, preferring to go up and down the stairs rather than take the elevator.

When should you eat fast carbohydrates?

There is a scheme for consuming simple carbohydrates, and it is as follows:

  • Proteins and fast carbohydrates must be consumed after active physical activity! In this case they will be useful.
  • Physical activity is mandatory for those losing weight, especially when a person is unable to give up sweets. If a woman is very overweight, heavy exercise is contraindicated for her. The best and safest solution in this case is swimming. After just three months of regular exercise, it will be possible to move on to more serious exercises, and the woman will feel renewed.
  • Sweets after exercise are the best way to support the body and restore lost energy. Experts recommend consuming fast carbohydrates within an hour after finishing classes. An excellent option for sports nutrition is a protein-carbohydrate shake, which is a protein shake with the addition of banana or honey.

And finally, more about carbohydrates and the glycemic index:

It is very difficult to give up sweets, so you should consume fast carbohydrates wisely. Stick to the list of allowed foods and the weight loss table, then they will not cause harm, but on the contrary, they will help you maintain your figure and a great mood!

Let's find out what fast carbohydrates are, and also look at the table and list of foods containing unhealthy carbohydrates with a high glycemic index.

We know that bread, sweets and a long list of favorite foods are rich in carbohydrates. And those, in turn, are slow and fast. Where do these names come from? What is this division based on?

What are the benefits of banana carbohydrates?

Considering the entire chemical composition of the fruit, the fruit is very beneficial for the body as a whole. The exotic product is considered a source of vitamin B. These components, in combination with polysaccharides, ensure the normal functioning of the central nervous system and the digestive system. Also, banana is the main source of protein.

Polysaccharides for digestion

Bananas have a low glycemic index, despite all the sweetness of the pulp. Thus, insulin production occurs systematically, without excessive release. Fiber and dietary fiber normalize the process of breakdown and digestion of food and improve intestinal motility. Nutritionists advise replacing sweets with 1-2 bananas a day. This way you can lose weight without harming your body.

In general, the polysaccharides in this fruit provide the following benefits:

  • Normalize metabolism;
  • Relieves constipation;
  • Cleanses the gastrointestinal tract of toxins and waste;
  • Satisfies hunger for a long time;
  • Restore intestinal microflora.

Banana Carbohydrates and Energy

As you know, even a carbohydrate-free diet includes complex polysaccharides in the diet. Without it, a person will feel lethargic, apathetic, and depressed. Without a sufficient amount of polysaccharides, performance decreases. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to completely exclude these compounds.

Since banana combines both monosaccharides and polysaccharides, the brain receives a sufficient amount of glucose. This supports its work, improves memory and mental activity in general. The body receives energy after the complete breakdown of not only carbohydrates, but also proteins, of which there is enough in the product. The exotic fruit has some plant cells that “store” energy.

Bananas for athletes

Numerous studies conducted on professional athletes (swimming, running, cycling) have shown that eating a banana before training significantly increases endurance. It is recommended to eat 2 bananas or drink a protein shake with a banana 1 hour before training. And consuming the product half an hour after physical activity will quickly restore muscle structure and replenish lost energy.

What are carbohydrates

First, about carbohydrates in general. They are almost all of plant origin. They are formed in light in green plants from water and carbon dioxide. Carbohydrates accumulate solar energy. It is the energy of the Sun that is released when they are oxidized in the cell. Therefore, we, like all living things, can be called children of the Sun.

Carbohydrates are classified as follows:

  • monosaccharides - glucose, fructose, etc.;
  • oligosaccharides - sugar;
  • polysaccharides - starch, fiber, glycogen.

Sucrose is made up of two simple saccharides: glucose (grape sugar) and fructose. Starch and other polysaccharides are long chains in which the grape sugar molecule is repeated many times. In other words, all carbohydrates are basically made up of the same building blocks—glucose molecules.

Almost all of them are hydrophilic, that is, compounds that are soluble in water and taste sweet.

Their division into fast and slow carbohydrates is associated with one indicator - the glycemic index.

Step-by-step preparation

Our next steps:

  1. Place a saucepan of cold water over medium heat and bring the liquid to a boil.
  2. Pour the pasta into boiling water, add a little salt and cook according to the instructions on the package.
  3. As soon as the pasta is ready, place it in a colander and allow time for excess liquid to drain.
  4. Pour hot water over the tomatoes, peel them and cut them into cubes about 1 cm thick.
  5. We pass the garlic cloves through a special press.
  6. Heat olive oil in a frying pan, add tomatoes and garlic.
  7. Simmer the resulting mixture for about three minutes.
  8. Now pour the green beans into the frying pan, cook for five minutes and pour in the tomato paste.
  9. Sprinkle all the ingredients with spices, mix and remove the pan from the heat.

pasta with green beans

Transfer the pasta to plates and add green beans, tomatoes and garlic on top. For a brighter taste, you can add soy sauce. The amount of carbohydrates in pasta is about 60-40 grams.

Glycemic index (GI)

GI is an indicator that demonstrates how quickly a particular product can increase blood glucose levels. Of course, who can compete in this with glucose itself, which is why its GI is taken to be 100 units. But it turns out that the same dates have a GI of 146.

The table is built in descending order of GI. The fastest carbohydrates in it occupy the first positions.

The product's nameGlycemic indexCarbohydrate content per 100 grams
Dates14672
White bread13653
Beer1158
Baking, desserts10370
Sweet drinks10212
Sugar100100
Fried potato9527
Rice9076
Honey9080
Dried apricots6566
Grape6417
Boiled potatoes6316
Bananas6023
Sweet yoghurt579
Mango5514

Amount of carbohydrates in banana

To talk about carbohydrates, you need to understand the number of calories. Banana is not on the list of low calorie fruits. So, 100 grams of fruit without peel contains about 100-102 kcal. In general, the size of the fruit will indicate the number of calories. This greatly facilitates the calculation of nutritional and energy value when following a diet.

It is worth noting that fresh green bananas have more calories than ripe ones. Dried fruit has the highest calorie content - 300 kcal per 100 grams. How many carbohydrates are in 100 g of banana? The pulp of the product contains 28-30 grams of carbohydrates. Dried fruit loses a small amount of substances. So, per 100 grams there are 22 grams of polysaccharides.

How many carbohydrates are in 1 banana? One average fruit weighs more than 100 grams. Its weight is 130-140 grams. Therefore, the amount of carbohydrates will reach up to 30.7-32 grams. People often wonder: are bananas a protein or a carbohydrate? Of course, the fruit contains a sufficient amount of protein, which is very useful for athletes and people involved in physical activity. And the combination of protein with polysaccharides is a powerful source of energy. Eating these fruits activates the growth of muscle mass and restores lost strength.

Conversion of fast carbohydrates

Sucrose with a GI of 100 quickly saturates the blood with glucose, but our body is not always able to quickly convert its excess into glycogen. Especially when there are enough glycogen reserves and there is basically nowhere to save them. And then the glucose turns into fat. Blood glucose levels are normalized, but fat reserves are replenished. This is what nutritionists mean when they talk about the dangers of foods containing fast sugars.

Fructose is converted into fat with the same success, although it is more lenient to the insulin mechanism. And if you replace sugar with fructose, obesity still cannot be avoided. This is exactly what happened in the United States, when at the end of the 20th century dietary sugar was replaced by fructose, which caused a flurry of calls to doctors about the obesity that swept the country.

The diet should consist mostly of foods with slow carbohydrates, although if rapid recovery is necessary, it is difficult to find a replacement for fast carbohydrates. They sharply increase glucose levels, which leads to an insulin surge, intense blood circulation, high muscle tone, and help cope with lightheadedness, dizziness, and nausea.

In all other cases, surges in glucose levels not only replenish fat deposits, but also harm the functioning of muscles, heart and blood vessels.

Cooking method

What needs to be done:

  1. Following the instructions on the package, boil the pasta until tender and drain in a colander.
  2. Pour the required amount of cream into a saucepan and slightly heat the resulting mass.
  3. Grate the cheese and mix with cream.
  4. Add spices, salt and, if desired, some fresh herbs.
  5. Simmer over medium heat until the cheese begins to melt.
  6. Transfer the pasta to plates, pour in the sauce and serve.

pasta with cream sauce

You can bake fish or chicken thighs with this dish.

The meaning of fast carbohydrates

Research has shown that fast carbohydrates:

  • They help a person cope with mental tasks, as they normalize brain function.
  • Neutralizes toxins.
  • They take part in the construction of the cell frame.
  • Replenish glycogen reserves.
  • They relieve depression and help overcome stress.
  • They control metabolism, as they promote the synthesis of various enzymes and hormones.

If you regularly visit the gym and exercise intensively, then fast carbohydrates in small portions will reduce excess weight, as they accelerate the burning of fat deposits.

It is thanks to sugars that the absorption of foods rich in proteins and fats is possible.

Sugar and healthy eating

Following the principles of proper nutrition, it is better to include in your diet not empty fast carbohydrates, but foods that, in addition to them, contain organic acids, minerals and vitamins. These include grains, vegetables and fruits. The list of products goes on.

It is better to consume cereals before lunch, since in the first half of the day the body processes all food into energy, and fruits, respectively, before 18.00, in order to avoid weight gain due to fat.

Carbohydrate foods can replace each other. So, instead of fried potatoes, it is better to eat baked ones, and add honey to tea instead of sugar.

It is better to snack not on buns and sweets, but on nuts and dried fruits. It is better to take dried fruits and fruits separately from the main lunch; this is the basis of the principle of fractional nutrition, which is based on the correct compatibility of food products.

  • Do not mix carbohydrates with fatty foods.
  • Those who want to lose weight should exclude fast carbohydrates from dinner and their diet in general.
  • If it is difficult to give up chocolate, it is better to choose black, containing up to 70% cocoa.
  • Forget about sweet drinks, cookies, chocolates. They are pure calories and can provide a quick boost only if you need it. In most cases, this is a direct road to obesity.

Advice from nutritionists


Replace sweets with fruits

  • Nutritionists advise eating more plant foods and replacing sweets with fruits. After all, fruits are sweet enough to satisfy your “sweet hunger.”
  • If you want to lose weight, you need to do this gradually and systematically, without strict diets, fasting and pills.
  • Do not make strict restrictions on food. With very strong restrictions, the likelihood of breaking the diet increases. With such measures, appetite increases even more.
  • Anyone who wants to lose weight cannot do without physical activity. It is advisable to walk in the fresh air, moving at an active pace.
  • Don't try to lose weight quickly. In weight loss, the main thing is not the speed, but the duration of maintaining the achieved weight. With gradual weight loss, the skin will have time to tighten, and health will be maintained.
  • Proper nutrition should become permanent. You need to eat 5-6 times a day, eat more plant foods.
  • When choosing fruits, it is worth considering that large ones with an impeccable appearance may contain harmful substances.

By adding low-carb fruits to your diet, losing weight will still not be very easy. Only by consuming them in combination with moderate physical activity and proper nutrition can you achieve good results. Fruits should be included in the diet throughout the year. If some cannot be kept fresh, you can prepare them for the winter by drying or freezing.

Norm, excess and deficiency of fast carbohydrates

A person needs up to 40 g of fast sugars per day. Their deficiency, as well as their excess, can cause negative changes, including:

  • Metabolic disorders;
  • Depressive states;
  • Various dermatitis, cellulite, tissue swelling;
  • Blood pressure surges;
  • Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • Development of caries.

If carbohydrate starvation occurs, glycogen reserves begin to be consumed, which last for 15–18 hours.

When a person savors forbidden sweets (the GI table contains a list of them), he thereby puts a colossal load on the pancreas, which synthesizes insulin. After all, the glucose level jumps up and down like a ball. Our tone and mood fluctuate with them. With such nutrition, the system of endocrine glands is under direct threat.

Fast carbohydrates do not give you a feeling of fullness, after them you want to eat even more. The smile turns into a grin, instead of cheerfulness comes lethargy. This vicious circle can do a lot of harm. The way out of this is to organize proper nutrition, when food should be healthy, and not just tasty. Before you eat something, think about what it will give: excess weight or pure benefit.

A healthy, balanced diet should consist of 60% carbohydrates. The function of carbohydrates in the cell of the human body is not only as the main source of vital energy, but also as the creation of a reserve reserve. Fast carbohydrates are a necessary component of food in acceptable amounts for healthy people. But is it necessary for a person with diabetes?

The digestive system transforms simple and complex carbohydrates into glucose. With a lack of carbohydrates, metabolic processes in the body are disrupted. But excess glucose, unspent during the day due to weak physical activity, from the intestine through the circulatory system enters the liver, where it is synthesized into glycogen and stored in fat and muscle cells for energy storage.

With regular fat deposits (simple and complex carbohydrates in excess), cholesterol levels increase, weakening the cardiovascular system. Obesity threatens the development of type 2 diabetes.

Advice from nutritionists: you need to eat high-carbohydrate foods in the first half of the day, and prefer protein dishes for afternoon snacks and dinner.

Carbohydrates are broken down at different rates. Simple carbohydrates quickly give a boost of energy 10-15 minutes after consumption, which also dries up quickly (within 2 hours), which is why they are also called fast carbohydrates. When complex carbohydrates are broken down, the blood sugar concentration increases smoothly within 30-40 minutes. Performance lasts up to 3-4 hours.

What brands of pasta are suitable for weight loss? My experience.

The most important thing you need to know. Only durum wheat pasta is suitable for weight loss

. All? Are we breaking up?

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