Healthy Eating: Carbohydrates Ms. Singarajah

Introduction to Nutrients: Nutrients are essential in providing everyone with energy, promoting growth and development and help regulate body processes. Everyone needs the same nutrients but not necessarily in the same amounts: Amount of nutrients needed depends on the age, body size, sex, and genetic heritage of the individual

What Nutrients Do: Provide Energy: Nutrients in food provide our body with the fuel the body uses to carry on all its day to day activities. Without food we would have no energy. Promote Growth and Development: Nutrients allow our body to grow, develop and repair itself. Regulate body processes: Each nutrient plays a specific role in the body and a lack of one nutrient may cause some of the body’s functions to stop working properly.

Nutrients Divide into: Macronutrients: Carbohydrates Protein Fats Micronutrients: Vitamins Minerals

Carbohydrates Continued: Their main function is to provide the body with fuel which is needed for physical activity, brain function and operation of the organs The digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose, also known as blood sugar. Some glucose is used for energy and the rest is stored in the liver and muscles for later use. The body regulates the level of glucose in the blood.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are grouped into two categories Simple Carbohydrates Complex Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates continued: Simple Carbohydrates Are broken down quickly by the body to be used as energy Are sugars that are found in fruits, vegetables and milk Simple sugars are added to processed and refined foods such as candy, table sugar and soft drinks.

Carbohydrates Continued: Complex Carbohydrates Are made up of sugar molecules that are strung together in long complex chains Are found in whole-grain breads and cereals Are found in starchy vegetables and legumes such as peas, beans