10 surprising sources of carbs, from protein shakes to processed meat

Carbs can show up in unlikely places, like cheese, nuts, and processed meats.Jayme Burrows / EyeEm/Getty Images

• Carbohydrates are a major energy source we get from food, and they're in just about everything.
• Sneaky sources of carbs include meats, seafood, dairy, nuts, sauces, supplements, and spices.
• You don't have count carbs, but if you do, know the different between total carbs and net carbs.

When you think of carbohydrates, you probably think of bread, pasta, and sweet treats like cookies or donuts.

But carbs are in a huge range of foods we eat, healthy and otherwise, from sugary pastries to starchy veggies to antioxidant-packed berries and even leafy greens.

Carbs are also a major source of energy.

While carbs are often vilified in current diet trends, they can be highly beneficial, fueling the body and mind, supporting athletic performance, and helping tissues such as muscle recover and grow.

Some people, such as those with diabetes or those doing a ketogenic diet, may opt to cut carbs or avoid them almost entirely.

Whether you love them or hate them, carbs can show up in some surprising places, even after accounting for fiber content.

From spices and sauces to meat products and milk, these are some foods you might not expect to come with carbs.