C ARBOHYDRATES Chapter 6 Textbook Page 76

I. W HAT ARE C ARBOHYDRATES ? A. The body’s main source of energy B. They come from plant foods including fruits, vegetables grains and beans. C. There are three types of carbs 1. sugars- are a simple carb that supplies energy 2. Starch- is a complex carb because it is made up of a group of sugar molecules a. Therefore, it takes longer to burn energy from starch 3. Dietary fiber- is plant material that cannot be digested a. Is essential for good health b. Works to clean out the digestive & circulatory system

II. C ARBOHYDRATES IN F OOD A. Natural Sugars 1. Fruits & vegetables taste sweet because they contain natural sugars B. Added Sugars 1. sugar is extracted from plants and used to sweeten foods a. Examples= honey, corn syrup, sugar cane C. Starches in Food 1. peas, corn, beans and potatoes are examples of foods containing starch

III. T HE N EED FOR C ARBOHYDRATES A. Carbs power all your activities from breathing to thinking to running. 1. get 45-65% of daily calories from carbs 2. healthy choices include: a. Complex carbs (ex.= whole grain starches) b. Natural sugars (fruit & vegetables) B. Low Carb Diets 1. Too few carbs will force your body to burn fat & protein for energy 2. Other effects include- a. Higher blood cholesterol b. Kidney stones c. Mineral loss in bones C. Too Many Simple Carbs (Sugars) 1. may result in weight gain, diabetes & heart disease D. How much sugar should you eat? 1. only 10 tsp per/day of added sugars a. 1 tsp of sugar = 15 calories