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Carbohydrates are commonly misunderstood, as they can be anything from needless and unhealthy (processed white bread) to completely necessary and healthy (whole grains). We need fiber in our diet to keep our blood sugar stable, to keep our digestive tract working correctly, and to ensure that we're getting necessary nutrients.
The only problem is that carbs are sneaky. Without a doubt, there are a few places that carbs hide and sneak their way into your diet without your knowledge--which can make it hard to follow a healthy diet and lose weight! This is not to say that you should not eat these foods, but you should be extra careful with your portions!
Check out six foods that are hiding a significant amounts of carbs!
1. Dried Figs. Figs on their own are, without a doubt, one of the best super foods to add to your diet. They are jam packed with healthy fiber, copper, potassium, manganese, and panthothenic acid. However, dried figs end up without all that filling water, which could make you reach for more of this otherwise nutrient-dense food--causing you to overload on carbs. Just six dried figs have over 30 grams of carbohydrates. According to Lori Zanini R.D., with HealthCare Partners and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, dried figs do have plenty of positive aspects. "They are fat- and cholesterol-free and a great whole food snack option on the go because they don't require refrigeration. Just be mindful of portion sizes."
2. Prune Juice. Many may cringe at the thought of prune juice, but it's actually incredibly nutrient-dense. Specifically, it's packed with fiber and sorbitol, and it's also a good source of vitamins C, K, B6, riboflavin, and niacin. It comes at a pretty heavy price, though. Just one eight ounce serving contains 45 grams of carbs. "The naturally occurring sugar in prune juice is preferable to the stuff you find in sugar-sweetened beverages," Zanini explains. "But if you're craving some juice and watching your carb intake, opt for a glass of orange juice; it only has 26 grams of carbs per serving. "
3. Chestnuts. We all know the lyrics, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." While it's a huge tradition for most, it might be causing you to overload on carbs! Many assume that all nuts are protein and calorie dene, but this little carb capsule can break those assumptions in one swoop. One ounce of chestnuts has about 15 grams of carbs and less than one gram of protein, causing it to pale in comparison to other nuts such as almonds, which have 6 grams of protein for the same amount of nuts. However, they do have fewer calories than other nuts--but there are fewer nutrients inside.
4. Baked Beans. Baked beans are possibly the best side at any BBQ, but they sure do pack a ton of carbs. Naturally, beans are filled with good fibers, proteins, and complex carbs. However, many of the popular canned beans have loads of added sugar (which translates to more carbs!). In just one serving, you could be eating 12 grams of sugar! According to Zainini, "The American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 24 grams a day of sugar." That means in just one side dish, you could be eating half your day's worth of sugar. Don't write off all beans, though: just any with added sugar like baked beans.
5. BBQ Sauce. Speaking of BBQ sides, what about BBQ sauce? If you have ever been to a good BBQ, you know that a good BBQ sauce is essential for tasty meats. But did you know that there is a ton of added sugar in that sauce? Zanini found that "most bottled sauces contain four to 10 grams of sugar per serving." That means that portion control is also essential for your ribs--especially when it can be so easily underestimated! Try measuring out the sauce before lathering your pulled-pork sandwich or your stack of ribs--you'd be surprised how much you usually add versus how much you should add.
What do you think about this list? Are you surprised? Which one surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
Copyright © 2009 Penny Dugmore/Flickr
