Despite the emphasis on low carbohydrate diets, there are some distinct advantages to consuming starchy carbohydrates. Most dietitians recommend regular intake of starchy carbohydrates as part of a healthy diet.

Starchy carbohydrates are sometimes called complex carbohydrates. Examples of starchy carbohydrates include legumes, brown rice, unripe bananas, and most grains that are served whole. Starchy carbohydrates may also be called resistant carbohydrates because the body digests them in a different way than other carbs.

While ingesting simple carbohydrates like white flour or sugar tends to raise the blood sugar levels quickly and dramatically, starchy carbohydrates are associated with a much lower rise in blood sugar. They are also digested much more slowly and tend to reach the small intestine before being completely digested.

In the small intestine starchy carbohydrates stimulate the “good” bacterial flora of the gut and promote digestion of all food. They also seem to help the body more readily absorb minerals and tend to keep one feeling full for longer periods of time.

Some starchy carbohydrates, like oatmeal, have been shown to lower total cholesterol levels, especially low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), which are considered the “bad cholesterol,” and are associated with higher risk for heart disease. Starchy carbohydrates also seem to help raise high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), which are associated with decreased risk for heart disease.

Diabetics can consume starchy carbohydrates because they do not significantly raise glucose levels. They are also considered to be good for dieters because they cut down on fat storage of meals consumed. As well, starchy carbohydrates are excellent for maintaining regularity in bowel movements and may help those with constipation or with diarrhea have a more regular bowel movement process.

Some research suggests that starchy carbohydrates may be helpful in improving overall mood and in promoting good sleep. Starchy carbohydrates tend to raise tryptophan levels in the body. Tryptophan directly stimulates the production of serotonin. Low serotonin levels are symptomatic of both depression and anxiety.

This greater production of serotonin may help those with mood disorders, and may prove particularly helpful for those who have occasional drops in mood as with pre-menstrual syndrome. Consuming starchy carbohydrates during a bout of the pre-menstrual blues may indirectly help improve mood. However, consumption of starchy carbohydrates alone should not be substituted for medications in those who have major depression or premenstrual dysmorphic disorder.