Are Carbohydrates Such As Breads, Rolls, Cereals, Pastas, Bagels And Potatoes More Fattening?

July 1, 2009— -- Question: Are carbohydrates such as breads, rolls, cereals, pastas, bagels and potatoes more fattening?

Answer: Carbohydrates are not fattening, per se; it's excess calories that are fattening. In that sense, whether a food is made of carbohydrate, protein or fat, if it contributes to excess calories it can be fattening. The foods that are made from carbohydrates may be more fattening or may be more easily over consumed if they're made from processed carbohydrates such as white flour. So, white bread, white bagels or white pasta may lead to increased calorie intake more than whole grains such as whole grain pasta, whole wheat bread, oatmeal or brown rice.