simple vs complex carbs

I read another post about this, and it stuck with me.  I googled the difference between the two, and this is what I have.

Simple carbohydrates are also called simple sugars and are chemically made of one or two sugars. A simple sugar can be just what the name implies, the sugar in your sugar bowl. Things like candy, syrups, and soda pop are also straightforward examples of simple carbs. They are absorbed quickly -- just think how fast sugar-based candy melts in your mouth.

Simple carbs also include foods such as fruit and milk. These are better sources of simple carbs because they contain vitamins and fiber, and also important nutrients that your body needs, like calcium.

Complex carbohydrates are also known as starches and are made of three or more linked sugars. Grains such as bread, pasta, oatmeal and rice are complex carbs, as well as some vegetables like broccoli, corn legumes such as kidney beans and chick peas. They take the longest to digest.

Source:

"Carbohydrates." Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source. 2006. Harvard School of Public Health. 29 Nov 2006

I've always thought bread, pasta, rice and potatoes were simple carbs, absorbed 100%, and therefore not on the menu for a DSer.  This definition states they are a complex carb - so they are absorbed 50%.

What are your thoughts on this?

Moderation. :)  Eat your protein first, and then have a bit of complex carb.

I don't eat carbs anyway.  But someone else posted that fruit and veggies were complex carbs, and everything else - all other starches - were simple carbs.  That's why I googled it.

the way I remember it is complex carbs, starches, multiple sugars,  are whole grains and foods made from them, usually have fiber,idigest slower,  like whole  pasta, whole grain breads, rice, whole plant foods,  potatoes, corn, peas etc.

simpe carbs 1-2 sugars quickly digested, lack fiber, contain few nutrients, like all sugars, table, brown, sugar, syrup,candy, etc

Is pasta made with white flour a simple or complex carb?

simple i think, it absorbs fast in the body.complex carbs absorbs more slowly in the body example steel cut oatmeal

As I learned in class, generally fruits, vegetables and grains are considered complex carbs.  Some Complex carbs, in moderation, supply higher levels of some nutrients that the proteins don't.  White flour and products made from it are considered simple carbs, since a lot of the nutritional value has been processed out of it.  White sugar and syrups and things made with them (like soda, candy, etc) are simple carbs.

The DS dining rule is still protein first, complex carbs if you have room.

When I was in the hospital the first month after surgery with pancreatitis, the Dietician explained it to me this way.  She said it's easy to remember.

Think of Complex Carbs as anything that comes off of a tree or out of the ground.  Fruits, Veggies, Oats.  Some have more starches than other's so learn those - Corn, Potatos and Carrots.

Simple carbs take something out of the ground and make it into something else.  Example:  Pasta, White Sugar, Bread - all white foods

Always get in your protein first whether it's food or protein shakes/yogurt, then get in the complex carbs, fruits/veggies. 

It's worked for me to remember it that way.

This is a great way to remember, thanks!

It makes it easy!