Carbohydrates

Nichol James
SCI/241
Ann Schide

CARBOHYDRATES

Pastries, breads, and fruit are all forms of

carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provides
energy to the body

CARBOHYDRATES DEFINED

Carbohydrates are sugars that provides the body with

energy. Carbohydrate rich foods in their natural state are
low in calories and high in fiber. Except for fiber and
resistant starch, carbohydrates cause more and faster
blood glucose rises than the other macronutrients. Fiber
and resistant starch are not digested in the small
intestine, but have many positive effects. Simple
carbohydrates are single sugar molecules or two sugar
molecules that have joined together where as complex
carbohydrates, otherwise known as starches ,are
comprised of many sugar molecules which are all
connected.

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF SUGARS AND

STARCHES IN THE BODY
The basic function of sugars and
starches in the body provides energy
to cells in the body, particularly the
brain which is the only carbohydrates
dependent organ in the body.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIMPLEX AND

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES
Simple carbohydrates are also called simple sugars and are
chemically made of one or two sugars. A simple sugar can be just
what the name implies, the sugar in your sugar bowl. Things like
candy, syrups, and soda pop are also straightforward examples of
simple carbs. They are absorbed quickly -- just think how fast sugarbased candy melts in your mouth.
Simple carbs also include foods such as fruit and milk. These are
better sources of simple carbs because they contain vitamins and
fiber, and also important nutrients that your body needs, like
calcium.
Complex carbohydrates are also known as starches and are made of
three or more linked sugars. Grains such as bread, pasta, oatmeal
and rice are complex carbs, as well as some vegetables like
broccoli, corn legumes such as kidney beans and chick peas. They
take the longest to digest.

HOW SUGARS ARE BROKEN DOWN

AND USED IN THE BODY

BENEFITS OF
CARBOHYDRATES
Energy Production

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy and can be

easily broken down.

Muscle Tissue

When the body needs immediate energy for performing

physical activities, it first uses glucose from carbohydrates
for this purpose. If insufficient amount of glucose from
carbohydrates is available, then body converts glycogen
stored in the fatty tissues into glucose.

HEALTHY SOURCE OF
CARBOHYDRATES
Fruit and
Vegetables

Beans

Brown Rice
Wheat

Cor
n

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
Lactose intolerance
Consult a doctor if you have a medical concern
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Lactose
intolerance develops when the small intestine does not make enough of an
enzyme called lactase. The body needs this enzyme to digest lactose.

HOW LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

AFFECTS THE BODY

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

REFERENCES

WiseGeek (2013) Carbohydrates, retrieved July 7, 2013

from www.wisegeek.com
The National Academies Press (2013) Dietary
Carbohydrates-sugar and starches, retrieved July 7, 2013
from www.nap.edu
About.com (2013) diabetes, retrieved July 7, 2013 from
www.diabetes.about.com
Benefitsof.net (2013) Benefits of Carbohydrates, retrieved
July 7, 2013 from www.benefitof.net
Google Images (2013), retrieved July 7, 2013
www.google.com