Plant foods like cereals, bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, plantains and corn are good sources of starch.
They give us the energy we need to do daily activities.
These starchy foods give us important vitamins and minerals, too.

Because carbohydrate-rich foods are usually low in calories, they can help us keep a healthy weight.
When we add fat (like butter, sour cream or gravies) at the table or when we cook , we add extra calories and may gain weight.
Try using less mayonnaise, butter or margarine on breads and muffins. Use less gravy or sour cream on potatoes.
When we shop we can get the carbohydrates we need without added fat by reading food labels.
Compare crackers and bread products and try the ones with less fat. Use more vegetables without fatty sauces.