Introduction to Carbohydrates
- What is a carbohydrate and where do they come from?
Carbohydrates are molecules composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen molecules. All carbohydrates have the same ratio of hydrogen molecules to oxygen molecules as water, 2:1. Carbohydrates come from eating simple sugars like glucose and fructose or complex carbohydrates such as grains, breads and legumes.
- Include a brief summary of what carbohydrates are and what they are used for in the body. Also include a description of the different types of carbohydrates (monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides).
- Carbohydrates are the body's main source of fuel.
- Carbohydrates are easily used by the body for energy.
- All of the tissues and cells in our body can use glucose for energy
- Where do we obtain carbohydrates and what do we do with them?
We obtain carbohydrates by either eating simple sugars, like glucose and fructose or starchy foods such as grains, beans and vegetables.
Once carbohydrates are consumed they are turned into glucose, the simplest carbohydrate and the easiest carbohydrate for the body to use. The glucose is going to either be used immediatley or stored as fat.