Beans Carbs

Are beans rich in carbohydrates. And does bean have fats?
(November 16, 2010)

Beans Carbs

Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are present in foods that are high in sugar and starch content. Carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet as they supply the body with energy to function properly and perform daily activities. There are two types of carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Both of these are necessary in order to maintain healthy weight and good nutrition.


Simple carbohydrates are composed mainly of sugar and can be found in a variety of foods such as fruits, milk, molasses and sugary foods. When sugar is broken down in the body, glucose is formed immediately. This glucose gives the body an instant boost of energy through the bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates are composed of mainly starch and are present in whole grain foods. The breakdown of complex carbohydrates takes longer and hence they provide a constant supply of energy for a longer period of time. Complex carbohydrates are also not stored in the body like simple carbohydrates. When an excess amount of glucose is stored in the body, it leads to fat accumulation. However both types of carbohydrates are necessary.

Beans are an important source of carbohydrates. The carbohydrates in beans are of the complex type and hence do not contribute to weight gain. Beans also contain other important nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and folate. They are also a source of plant protein and hence are a valuable addition to the diet. Dried beans are considered to be the healthiest. The recommended intake of beans is approximately 3 cups of bans each week. However even just one cup of beans a week is known to produce healthy results.

Dried beans may be eaten fresh, sprouted or dry. They can also be ground to make flour. Dry beans are also known as legumes and include chickpea, kidney beans, black eye beans, lima beans, white beans and lentils. A serving of beans would supply the body with about 120 calories, 7 grams of protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber. But just how many carbs in beans are there? Dried beans contain about 15 grams of carbohydrates. These bean carbs are complex carbohydrates. Since beans are high in fiber and have a low glycemic value, they help to regulate blood glucose levels. The fiber content in bean carbs does not get digested in the intestine and hence leaves you feeling fuller for a longer period of time.

With the increasing prominence of obesity and the medical complications it causes, a lot of people are looking at leading a healthier lifestyle to prevent the condition from affecting their lives. Obesity is primarily caused by two components - lack of proper nutrition as well as a lack of exercise. The lack of nutrition can easily be blamed on the fact that we lead very hectic lives that do not allow us the time to prepare a nutritious meal and rely on the convenience of fast foods like hot dogs and burgers. Although admittedly rather tasty, these foods provide our bodies with absolutely no nutrition value and are simply packed with a lot of empty calories that serve no other purpose other than being converted into fat cells that are added onto the fat tissues within the body. Moreover, a lack of adequate exercise will result in a build up of these fat cells – resulting in the development of obesity that, in turn, leads to a number of other conditions such as heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Carbohydrates are a very essential part of a healthy diet and are the primary source of energy required for the body to carry out the physical tasks over the course of the day.

A lack of carbohydrate intake will result in a number of the individuals attributes diminishing such as a reduction in brain power, muscle tissue breakdown acceleration as well as the development of other medical complications such as nausea, mood swings, bad breath and dizziness. There are a number of foods from which the body can obtain the carbohydrates that it requires to perform properly. The high content of carbs in green beans is worth noting. Athletes will need to consume diets of high carbohydrate content in order to prepare their bodies to have the energy levels that they are going to require in order to perform, and the high presence of carbs in green beans makes them a standard addition. The high levels of carbs in green peas make it a popular choice for carbohydrate laden meals. Sports diet experts will highly recommend that the athlete consume about 60% to 70% carbohydrate sports diet that may leave you a little clueless when it comes to choosing an appropriate food plan. As already established, the quantities of carbs in green peas is significantly high, meaning that it is likely to be a regular feature in most carbohydrate heavy meals. Studies to investigate the content of carbs in green beans have shown the reading for about half a cup of cooked green peas stands at about 12 grams. The count of carbs in black beans stands at about 20.4 grams in the same quantity – making it the more potent carb carrier between the two.

Leaving the carbs in beans discussion aside, it helps to know that choosing the most beneficial foods with regards to their carbohydrate content can always be seen on their food labels. This may be significantly harder when dealing with unlabelled foods such as fruits and vegetables and may even require you to carry out a carbohydrate guidebook to help you make the most informed choices.