The Importance of Carbohydrates

Low-Carb, No Carbs, High Carb - We've all heard these terms before. We see them on food labels, we read about them in the latest diet craze.....But what exactly is a Carb?

Carbohydrates are critical to support life’s most basic function—the production of energy. Without energy, none of the other life processes are performed. Although our bodies can synthesize glucose it comes at the cost of protein destruction. As with all nutrients though, carbohydrates are to be consumed in moderation as having too much or too little in the diet may lead to health problems.

Watch the video below to get a general idea of what carbohydrates are and why they are important.

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

What are Carbohydrates?: The name carbohydrate means "watered carbon" or carbon with attached water molecules. They are compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. For every oxygen atom, there are two hydrogen atoms. Carbohydrates are formed through the process of photosynthesis in plants. These molecules make up starch, sugars, and fiber.

Simple Carbohydrates: Most people are familiar with Simple Carbohydrates. These are the tasty carbs, like fruit, candy, and sugar. They are used for many purposes, but did you know that many times they can be used as preservatives in food?

Complex Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates play a significant role in our nutrition. Most of our energy and food consumption should come from this group. That includes whole-grain products, starches from vegetables and rice, and beans.

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