Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are main source of energy. –Found in plant foods: fruits, grains, & vegetables –Humans can’t produce carbohydrates –There are 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate. –Three forms of carbohydrates: sugars, starches, and fiber.

Sugars are also called simple carbohydrates –easy to identify sugars/simple carbs by the letters “ose” at the end of the word (except for cellulose which is fiber). –Sucrose extracted from plants is the sugar we cook with or table sugar Sucrose =

–Too many simple carbs = weight gain, tooth decay, and malnutrition! –Simple carbs are good for quick energy

Starches are also called complex carbohydrates –Fiber is a type of complex carbohydrate. We don’t digest fiber BUT it is critical because it moves food through our digestive system. Since it doesn’t digest, fiber is the only form of carb that isn’t a source of energy (doesn’t have any calories)

–Complex carbs don’t cause weight gain…the stuff you add does!

Quick Review 1.How many calories are there per gram of carbohydrate? 4 2.What term is synonymous for sugar? Simple Carbohydrate 3.What term is synonymous for starches? Complex Carbohydrate

4.What is the only form of carbohydrate that doesn’t provide energy? Fiber 5.Is fiber a simple or complex carbohydrate? Complex Carbohydrate