Food List

Complex Carbohydrate Foods

Complex carbs deliver steady, lasting energy along with fiber and nutrients, unlike refined carbs that spike and crash. This list ranks quality carb sources by fiber content, so you can choose the ones that keep you fuller for longer.

Food Fiber Per 100 g Per serving
Popcorn (air-popped) Grains 15 g 387 kcal P 13 · C 78 · F 4.5 · Fib 15 8 g (0.3 oz) 31 kcal · P 1 1 cup
Rye flakes (dry) Grains 15 g 338 kcal P 10 · C 76 · F 2.5 · Fib 15 50 g (1.8 oz) 169 kcal · P 5 1 portion
Oats (rolled, dry) Grains 11 g 389 kcal P 17 · C 66 · F 7 · Fib 11 81 g (2.9 oz) 315 kcal · P 13.8 1 cup
Black beans (cooked) Legumes 9 g 132 kcal P 9 · C 24 · F 0.5 · Fib 9 172 g (6.1 oz) 227 kcal · P 15.5 1 cup
Pinto beans (cooked) Legumes 9 g 143 kcal P 9 · C 26 · F 0.7 · Fib 9 171 g (6 oz) 245 kcal · P 15.4 1 cup
Lentils (cooked) Legumes 8 g 116 kcal P 9 · C 20 · F 0.4 · Fib 8 198 g (7 oz) 230 kcal · P 17.8 1 cup
Chickpeas (cooked) Legumes 8 g 164 kcal P 9 · C 27 · F 2.6 · Fib 8 164 g (5.8 oz) 269 kcal · P 14.8 1 cup
Split peas (cooked) Legumes 8 g 118 kcal P 8 · C 21 · F 0.4 · Fib 8 196 g (6.9 oz) 231 kcal · P 15.7 1 cup
Mung beans (cooked) Legumes 7.6 g 105 kcal P 7 · C 19 · F 0.4 · Fib 7.6 200 g (7.1 oz) 210 kcal · P 14 1 cup
Adzuki beans (cooked) Legumes 7.3 g 128 kcal P 8 · C 25 · F 0.1 · Fib 7.3 230 g (8.1 oz) 294 kcal · P 18.4 1 cup
Kidney beans (cooked) Legumes 7 g 127 kcal P 9 · C 23 · F 0.5 · Fib 7 177 g (6.2 oz) 225 kcal · P 15.9 1 cup
Lima beans (cooked) Legumes 7 g 115 kcal P 8 · C 21 · F 0.4 · Fib 7 170 g (6 oz) 196 kcal · P 13.6 1 cup
Wholemeal bread Grains 7 g 247 kcal P 13 · C 41 · F 3.4 · Fib 7 40 g (1.4 oz) 99 kcal · P 5.2 1 slice
Black-eyed peas (cooked) Legumes 6.5 g 116 kcal P 8 · C 21 · F 0.5 · Fib 6.5 165 g (5.8 oz) 191 kcal · P 13.2 1 cup
Cannellini beans (cooked) Legumes 6 g 142 kcal P 10 · C 25 · F 0.6 · Fib 6 177 g (6.2 oz) 251 kcal · P 17.7 1 cup
Rye bread Grains 6 g 259 kcal P 9 · C 48 · F 3.3 · Fib 6 32 g (1.1 oz) 83 kcal · P 2.9 1 slice
Green peas (cooked) Legumes 5.5 g 84 kcal P 5.4 · C 16 · F 0.2 · Fib 5.5 160 g (5.6 oz) 134 kcal · P 8.6 1 cup
Fava beans (cooked) Legumes 5.4 g 110 kcal P 8 · C 20 · F 0.4 · Fib 5.4 170 g (6 oz) 187 kcal · P 13.6 1 cup
Miso paste Legumes 5.4 g 199 kcal P 12 · C 26 · F 6 · Fib 5.4 17 g (0.6 oz) 34 kcal · P 2 1 tbsp
Farro (cooked) Grains 5 g 130 kcal P 5 · C 26 · F 1 · Fib 5 170 g (6 oz) 221 kcal · P 8.5 1 cup
Falafel Legumes 5 g 333 kcal P 13 · C 32 · F 18 · Fib 5 51 g (1.8 oz) 170 kcal · P 6.6 1 3 pieces
Refried beans Legumes 5 g 90 kcal P 5 · C 15 · F 1.5 · Fib 5 130 g (4.6 oz) 117 kcal · P 6.5 1 cup
Parsnip Vegetables 4.9 g 75 kcal P 1.2 · C 18 · F 0.3 · Fib 4.9 133 g (4.7 oz) 100 kcal · P 1.6 1 cup
Bulgur (cooked) Grains 4.5 g 83 kcal P 3 · C 19 · F 0.2 · Fib 4.5 182 g (6.4 oz) 151 kcal · P 5.5 1 cup
Red lentils (cooked) Legumes 4 g 100 kcal P 7.6 · C 17 · F 0.4 · Fib 4 198 g (7 oz) 198 kcal · P 15 1 cup
Wholewheat pasta (cooked) Grains 4 g 124 kcal P 5 · C 27 · F 0.5 · Fib 4 140 g (4.9 oz) 174 kcal · P 7 1 cup
Spelt (cooked) Grains 3.9 g 127 kcal P 5.5 · C 26 · F 0.8 · Fib 3.9 194 g (6.8 oz) 246 kcal · P 10.7 1 cup
Barley (cooked) Grains 3.8 g 123 kcal P 2.3 · C 28 · F 0.4 · Fib 3.8 157 g (5.5 oz) 193 kcal · P 3.6 1 cup
Sweet potato Vegetables 3 g 86 kcal P 1.6 · C 20 · F 0.1 · Fib 3 130 g (4.6 oz) 112 kcal · P 2.1 1 medium
Quinoa (cooked) Grains 2.8 g 120 kcal P 4.4 · C 21 · F 1.9 · Fib 2.8 185 g (6.5 oz) 222 kcal · P 8.1 1 cup
Teff (cooked) Grains 2.8 g 101 kcal P 3.9 · C 20 · F 0.7 · Fib 2.8 252 g (8.9 oz) 255 kcal · P 9.8 1 cup
Buckwheat (cooked) Grains 2.7 g 92 kcal P 3.4 · C 20 · F 0.6 · Fib 2.7 168 g (5.9 oz) 155 kcal · P 5.7 1 cup
Corn (sweetcorn) Vegetables 2.7 g 86 kcal P 3.2 · C 19 · F 1.2 · Fib 2.7 154 g (5.4 oz) 132 kcal · P 4.9 1 cup
Sourdough bread Grains 2.4 g 256 kcal P 11 · C 48 · F 1.8 · Fib 2.4 50 g (1.8 oz) 128 kcal · P 5.5 1 slice
Potato (with skin) Vegetables 2.2 g 77 kcal P 2 · C 17 · F 0.1 · Fib 2.2 173 g (6.1 oz) 133 kcal · P 3.5 1 medium
Amaranth (cooked) Grains 2.1 g 102 kcal P 3.8 · C 19 · F 1.6 · Fib 2.1 246 g (8.7 oz) 251 kcal · P 9.3 1 cup
Wild rice (cooked) Grains 1.8 g 101 kcal P 4 · C 21 · F 0.3 · Fib 1.8 164 g (5.8 oz) 166 kcal · P 6.6 1 cup
Brown rice (cooked) Grains 1.6 g 123 kcal P 2.7 · C 26 · F 1 · Fib 1.6 195 g (6.9 oz) 240 kcal · P 5.3 1 cup
Couscous (cooked) Grains 1.4 g 112 kcal P 3.8 · C 23 · F 0.2 · Fib 1.4 157 g (5.5 oz) 176 kcal · P 6 1 cup
Millet (cooked) Grains 1.3 g 119 kcal P 3.5 · C 24 · F 1 · Fib 1.3 174 g (6.1 oz) 207 kcal · P 6.1 1 cup
White rice (cooked) Grains 0.4 g 130 kcal P 2.7 · C 28 · F 0.3 · Fib 0.4 186 g (6.6 oz) 242 kcal · P 5 1 cup

Choose whole, minimally processed carbs like oats, quinoa, beans and sweet potato over refined ones. The fiber slows digestion for steadier energy and better fullness.

Frequently asked questions

What are complex carbohydrates?

Complex carbs are made of longer chains of sugars plus fiber, so they digest slowly and give steady energy. Examples include whole grains, legumes and starchy vegetables.

Are complex carbs better than simple carbs?

For most purposes, yes. Complex carbs come with fiber and nutrients and release energy more steadily, which helps with fullness and stable blood sugar compared with refined simple carbs.

Nutrition values are approximate, per 100 g, derived from the USDA FoodData Central database. Serving sizes are typical examples and will vary.

welanutria provides general information only and is not medical or dietary advice.