Leah replied:
People talk a lot about carbs, so it’s natural to wonder how many we should eat.
Some people think of carbs (or carbohydrates) as coming from grain-based foods like bread and pasta. But there are carbs in fruits, vegetables, dried beans, dairy, and more. Carbs provide sugar, starches and fiber, and they’re an important part of your diet. The trick is to choose sources that offer lots of fiber and nutrients—like whole wheat bread instead of white bread or whole fruits instead of juice.
How much you need depends on your age, gender and activity level, but in general, about half of your daily calories should come from carbs. For an average adult who aims to eat 2,000 calories a day, that would be about 250 grams of carbohydrate. That translates into eating this much from every MyPlate group:
- 6 oz. of grains
- 2-1/2 cups of vegetables
- 2 cups of fruit
- 3 cups of dairy
- 5 1/2 oz. of protein foods
Try to think less about the amount of carbs and more about choosing carbs that will give your body the most benefits.