What does "High in Carbs" Mean?

When a person hears the phrase high in carbs, this usually means that a type of food has a high level of carbohydrates in it. Carbohydrates are found in foods that are plant-based, and they provide necessary energy for the body. In fact, they represent the main source of energy a person's body converts from food sources. Often, however, people associate carbohydrates with unwanted weight gain or difficulty losing extra pounds. As such, many people try to avoid foods that are high in carbs.

Carbohydrates are found in everything from vegetables and potatoes to breads and rice; they are found in consumables such as soda and candy as well. While carbs are essential for the human body, they often get a bad reputation because of what may happen when a person eats too many of them. While the body uses carbohydrates for energy, some people consume too many. Some of what the body doesn't use contributes to stored fat. This, however, is true of any food that contains calories, not just those that are high in carbs.

Some people may have the wrong idea when it comes to avoiding foods that are high in carbohydrates, as many experts agree that most of a person's food intake should come in the form of carbs. They often recommend eating complex carbs, such as bran, oatmeal, potatoes, rice, and root vegetables. These carbohydrates take longer to make their way through the body than simple carbs, such as honey, fruit, milk, and refined sugar, do. As such, eating foods that are high in complex carbs allows a person to stay full for longer and possibly take in fewer calories. In contrast, simple carbs such as sugar are digested and used by the body very quickly, often leaving a person craving more food and more likely to overeat.

It's important to note that people need carbohydrates for more than just feeling energetic. Carbohydrates contain glucose, which is critical for the brain, central nervous system, the liver, and even the muscles. Since people cannot get glucose from protein or fat, carbohydrate consumption is vital. Instead of avoiding foods that are high in carbs, people may do better to avoid those that are high in calories and limit their intake of simple carbohydrates. As far as fruits and milk are concerned, however, they are important because of the other nutrients they contain; getting simple carbs from these sources is much better than getting them from soda, candy bars, cookies, and cake.