Starchy Carbohydrates
Starchy foods and carbohydrates Credit: Starchy foods are our main source of carbohydrates and have an important role in a healthy diet. Starchy foods – such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, and cereals – should make up just over a third of the food you eat. Where you can, choose wholegrain varieties, and eat potatoes with their skin on for more fiber. We should eat some starchy foods every day as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Why do you need starchy foods? Starchy foods are a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet. As well as starch, they contain fiber, calcium, iron, and B vitamins. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram they contain fewer than half the calories of fat. Just watch out for the added fats you use when you cook and serve them because this will increase the calorie content. Starchy foods and fiber Wholegrain varieties of starchy foods and potatoes (particularly when...