Which foods are complex carbohydrates?

• A. Potatoes, whole grain, beans, fruit, vegetables
• B. Sweets, soft drinks, white flour, ice cream, cake
• C. Eggs, cheese, milk
• D. Fats and oils

Answer: (A)

Complex carbohydrates come from starches and dietary fiber found in plant foods, and they digest more slowly than simple sugars, helping maintain steady energy and support digestion.

Potatoes, whole grains, beans, fruit, and vegetables fit this idea because they provide starch or fiber, often with other nutrients that slow digestion and promote fullness. Potatoes and whole grains are classic starch sources; beans are rich in both starch and fiber; vegetables contribute substantial fiber; fruit supplies fiber and natural sugars, but its fiber content helps moderate digestion compared with refined sweets.

Foods like sweets, soft drinks, white flour products, ice cream, and cake are mostly refined carbohydrates and added sugars, which digest quickly and can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose. Items such as eggs, cheese, and milk are primarily protein and fat with little carbohydrate, and fats and oils contain almost no carbohydrate at all.