June 5th, 2018 7th Grade Science - Mr. Hankins

Carbohydrates:
One gram = 4 Calories of energy, Provide raw materials to make cell parts
Two types of Carbohydrates:

1. Simple Carbohydrates
   
2. Complex Carbohydrates
   

Simple Carbohydrates:

• Also known as sugars.
  
• Glucose is one form of sugar that is a major source of energy for your body’s cells.
  
• Most foods do not contain much glucose, so your body converts the types of sugars found in fruits and other foods into glucose
  
• Glucose is the form of sugar the body can most easily use.
  

Complex Carbohydrates:

• Made up of many sugar molecules linked together in a chain.
  
• Examples of Complex Carbohydrates:
  
  1. Starch (potatoes, rice, wheat, corn)
     
  2. Fiber
     
• Starch is broken down into smaller, individual sugar molecules in order for the body to get the energy from in.
  
• Fiber is not considered a nutrient. The body cannot break it down. It passes thru the system and is eliminated. It is great for digestion system.
  

Nutritionist Recommendations:

• 45-65% of Calories should come from carbohydrates.
  
• Complex carbohydrates > Simple carbohydrates.
  
• Complex carbohydrates provide a long term energy source
  
• Foods made with a lot of simple carbohydrates(sugar), i.e., candy, soda, have very few nutrients. They provide a quick burst of energy