What are Carbohydrates?

Carbs are organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in various combinations. There are three categories of carbohydrates: simple, complex and dietary fiber (discussed on a separate page).

Simple carbohydrates are sugars and fall into two categories: disaccharides and monosaccharides. Saccharide is sugar (as in saccharin). The three major monosaccaharides are glucose, fructose, and galactose. There is another kind of carbohydrate, called polysaccharides (referred to as starches), which are just chains of glucose stuck together. The chains are broken by the body during digestion, so they are effectively just glucose.

Glucose is the body's primary source of energy, providing the vast majority of the energy your brain uses and most of the energy for your muscles. If your diet is ever low on carbohydrates, your body becomes forced to rely on protein and fat for its energy, which causes your system to become overpolluted with the byproducts of burning these two alternative sources of energy.

Most people don't get enough carbohydrates in their diet. Your diet should consist of at least 60% of your calories from carbohydrates; the Nutritional Profile Generator can tell you how many carbohydrates you need every day.

What are the foods rich in carbohydrates?

Variety has always been a key to maintaining a good and healthy diet. Every day, try using different items from the chart below. You may also find some helpful information in our Food Guide Pyramid.

References:

• Coleman, Ellen. Eating for Endurance. Bull Publishing Company, Palo Alto, California. 1992.
• Williams, Melvin H. Nutrition for Fitness and Sport. Wm. C. Brown Publishers. 1992.
• Brody, Jane. Jane Brody's Nutrition Book. Bantam Books. 1987.