From Vincent Iannelli, M.D.,
Your Guide to Pediatrics.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Unless you are on the Atkins Diet, carbohydrates should be an important source of calories in your diet.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that 'after infancy, children should get about half of their daily calories from carbohydrates.'

Good Carbs

The type of carbs you eat is important though. Instead of foods high in Simple Sugars, you should choose 'starchy foods like whole grain breads and cereals, beans and rice, potatoes, and pasta.'

Example of whole grain foods include whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain cereals. These are healthier than their refined alternative - white bread, white rice, etc.

Bad Carbs

In addition to choosing foods that don't have a lot of sugars in them, you can check the ingredient list to avoid foods with added sugars. If things like corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, maltose, dextrose, sucrose, honey, or maple syrup, are listed in the first few ingredients, then the food does have added sugars and you might look for a alternative with less sugar.