Nutrition

Carbs: Energy for Your Body

1 Mins read

Carbs are a group of nutrients that includes sugars, fibers and starches. It may not have the best of reputations, but it is an important part of your diet. Carbohydrates are classified as macro-nutrients, which brings them to the same level as fats and proteins. This also means that your body needs carbohydrates in large amounts. Carbohydrates are responsible for providing energy to your body. The carbs are absorbed and converted into glucose, which is used as a body fur for generating biological energy.

Carbohydrates usually come in two major forms, which are: simple carbs, and complex carbs. Simple carbohydrates are mostly sugar compounds. They are usually part of whole foods, for example, fructose in fruits, lactose in milk, maltose in grains. They could also be pure sugar compounds, which are often added to foods as sweeteners and taste supplements, like honey, white and brown sugar, which contain sucrose, and corn syrup, which contain fructose. 

On the other hand, complex carbohydrates are a group of several sugars linked together, which forms a starch chain. These may also be derived from whole foods like beans, potatoes, whole grains, or even refined foodstuffs like pasta, white flour. These compounds take a slightly longer duration to be digested. Fiber is a compound similar to starch, just for the fact that it cannot be broken down into simpler compounds; it remains in its original composition throughout its journey through your digestive tract, and is an important aspect of a healthy digestive system

How Much Carbs Do You Need

It is recommended that you source at least 45 to 65 percent of your daily calorie intake from carbohydrates, which comes around to almost 225 to 325 grams of carbs a day, while on a 2,000 calorie diet. These carbohydrates should be ideally sourced from natural, whole food sources, like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, dairy products, legumes, and meat. These foods also contain other healthy nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber can be sourced from unrefined plant foods, and is usually left out while chasing a carbohydrate-deficient diet.

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