Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram the carbohydrate in starchy food contains fewer than half the calories found in fat. It’s usually what we add to starches e.g butter, margarine, oil or creamy sauces that increases the calorie count.
Starchy carbohydrates should make up just over a third of the food you eat. Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as brown rice or potatoes with their skins on. They contain more fibre than white or refined starchy carbohydrates and can help you feel full for longer.
Keep an eye on the fats you add when you're cooking or serving these types of foods because that's what increases the calorie content – for example, oily chips.
