1.6 KiB
- Carbohydrates are a class of nutrients that is a major source of energy for the body
- Can also server as a glue that holds cells togehter
- Classified as simple or complex
- Plants are rich sources of carbohydrates There are 3 categories of carbs.
Sugars
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A monosaccharide is a simple sugar that is the basic molecule of carbohydrates:
- Glucose: Primary fuel for muscles, nerves, and other cells, the most common.
- Fructose: In fruits, honey, and certain vegetables
- Galactose: Component of lactose
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A disaccharide is a simple sugar comprised of two monosaccharides.
- Maltose: Disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules "malt sugar"
- Sucrose: Disaccharide composed of a glucose and fructose molecule "table sugar"
- Lactose: Disaccharide composed of a glucose and a galactose molecule "milk sugar"
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High fructose corn syrup is a syrup obtained from the processing of corn
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No conclusive evidence that the use of HFCS causes poor health and disease
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Excessive calories from beverages sweetened with HFCS contributes to increased risk for diabetes and heart disease
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Nutritive sweeteners are substances that sweeten and contribute energy to foods
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Each gram of mono or disaccharide supplies 4 kcal
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Added sugars are sugars added to foods during processing or prep
- The main source of added sugars in the American diet is sugar sweetened beverages.
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Alternative sweeneters are substances that sweeten foods while providing few or no calories
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Sugar alcohols are alternative sweeners use to replace sucrose in some some sugar free foods:
- Sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol
- Not fully absor