Carbohydrate
There are two types of carbohydrate.
Sugars – also known as simple carbohydrates.
Starches – also known as complex carbohydrates.
Effects
These two types of carbohydrate have different effects on our body.
Sugars (simple) – these raise the body's blood sugar level very quickly, as they enter the blood stream rapidly after they are eaten.
Starches (complex) – these keep blood sugar levels constant, because they enter the blood stream very slowly.
Functions
The body needs carbohydrate for a number of reasons:
- for energy – 1g of carbohydrate gives the body 3.75kcal of energy
- wholegrain varieties of carbohydrate provide the body with fibre
- carbohydrate has a protein-sparing effect, allowing protein to be used for its primary function of growth and repair
Sources
We can get complex carbohydrates from foods that are rich sources of starch:
- bread – including bagels and wraps
- rice
- pasta
- cereal
- potatoes
We can get simple carbohydrates from the following foods:
- sweets
- biscuits
- shakes
- honey
- table sugar
