Starchy and Non Starchy Vegetables: What You Need to Know

When it comes to vegetables, there is nothing that you can wrong with, right? Not really. While we all may think that any type of vegetable is good for us, that is not always the case. There are those that are considered starchy and non-starchy vegetables. For those with issues, such as blood sugar issues, they often pay attention to the starches they are eating. And vegetables are something that can contain a lot of starch depending upon what type of vegetable you are eating.

Starchy and Non-Starchy Vegetables: What Is the Deal?

For you to say that you eat a balanced diet, you have to have both kinds of vegetables in your diet. However, many people are eating plenty of starchy vegetables and not enough non-starchy vegetables. To help keep your blood sugar where it should be, you need to have a balance of both of these types of vegetables. Starchy vegetables have tons of carbs in them, but they break down slower in the body. This means that they can easily increase your blood sugar levels!

The good news is that even those starchy vegetables that are listed below are not full of tons of starch when compared to other starchy foods out there like breads, noodles and pasta.

A List for Help

For those who are looking to ensure that their diet is completely balanced, here is a list of starchy and non-starchy vegetables to have on hand in order to make a complete and balanced meal!

Starchy Vegetables Include:

• Beans
• Butternut squash
• chickpeas
• corn
• lentils
• parsnips
• potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• taro
• yams

Remember, that starchy vegetables are often higher in carbs and carbohydrates. However, they are often rich in protein and have other health benefits. Studies have shown that starchy vegetables can help with  ensuring your stomach has the beneficial gut bacteria that you need.

Non-Starchy Vegetables Include:

• Artichokes
• asparagus
• bean sprouts
• Brussel sprouts
• broccoli
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• celery
• cucumber
• eggplant
• mushrooms
• onions
• peppers
• salad greens
• spinach
• tomato
• turnips
• zucchini

Non-starchy vegetables are lower in calories, but they are also higher in fiber. In most cases, these vegetables have a number of minerals and vitamins that the body needs.

Due to what you get from each type of vegetable, you see why you should have a balanced diet of both kinds of vegetables. However, for those who are diabetic or have other issues, they may need to talk with their doctor about what they should eat in terms of starchy and non-starchy vegetables.

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