Skip to content
PEPICORE360FITNESS • NUTRITION • WELLNESSPepiCore360
All lessons

Macronutrients

Understanding Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates include sugars, starches and fiber, and are an important energy source, especially for activity.

Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and potatoes provide carbohydrates along with vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Refined carbohydrates are not "bad", but whole-food sources usually bring more fiber and nutrients.

Weight of rice or pasta changes a lot when cooked, so check whether a value is for dry or cooked food.

Practical examples

  • 100 g of dry oats and 100 g of cooked rice have very different calories because cooked grains contain water.

Related

Knowledge check

Why do dry and cooked rice have different values per 100 g?
Next: Understanding Healthy Fats
Educational use only: Nutrition values come from USDA FoodData Central and describe the specific preparation listed; recipe and meal totals are calculated estimates, not laboratory-tested values. This tool does not set calorie targets and is not individualized medical or nutrition advice. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medication, talk with a licensed healthcare provider or registered dietitian.