| Carbohydrate | 1443.00000000000 | Carbohydrate | Carbohydrate | C | English | Nutrition | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | NA | Digestive system | Healthy living and prevention | Caregivers
Adult (19+)
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First nations | NA | | 2013-09-27T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.80000000000000 | 63.6000000000000 | 413.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Discover the types of carbohydrates and how they affect the body.<br></p> | <p>Carbohydrate is an important source of energy for the whole body. </p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Carbohydrates are mostly found in vegetables and fruit, grain products and milk and alternatives.</li><li>Simple carbohydrates are found in milk, fruit, sugar, candy and honey. They increase blood sugar levels quickly, giving a short-term energy spike.</li><li>Complex carbohydrates are found in grains, vegetables and legumes. Because they include fibre, they increase blood sugar levels only slightly and keep them stable for longer.</li><li>Good sources of complex carbohydrates include unprocessed grains such as brown rice, whole wheat flour and barley.</li></ul> | <h2>What it does</h2><p>Carbohydrate is especially useful for keeping the red blood cells and nerves working well.</p><h2>Where you will find it</h2>
<figure class="asset-small"><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/INM_NRC_track1-5_nutrient_sources.png" alt="" /> </figure>
<p>Carbohydrate is found in three food groups:
<strong>vegetables and fruit, grain products</strong> and
<strong>milk and alternatives.</strong> </p><ul><li>Plants make glucose (a type of carbohydrate) through a process called photosynthesis. This is where plants absorb sunlight and use it to make energy.</li><li>Plants store the glucose they make and use it to grow.</li><li>When we eat plants, we also eat the glucose they store.</li></ul><h2>Types of carbohydrates</h2><p>There are two types of carbohydrates:</p><ul><li>simple carbohydrates (sugars), which are found foods such as milk, fruit, sugar, candy and honey </li><li>complex carbohydrates (starch and
<a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=964&language=English">fibre</a>), which are found in grains, vegetables and legumes (beans, peas and so on). </li></ul><p>Some complex carbohydrates are better than others. </p><ul><li>Unprocessed grains, such as brown rice, whole wheat flour and barley, contain fibre, vitamins and minerals. Foods made from these grains, such as whole wheat pasta, provide more nutrients per serving.</li><li>Refined, or processed, grains, such as white flour and white rice, have had much of the fibre removed and contain fewer nutrients such as B vitamins and iron. </li></ul><h2>Effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar </h2><p>Each type of carbohydrate affects your blood sugar level differently.</p><ul><li>Simple carbohydrates and processed grains can cause a sharp, short-term increase in the level of sugar in your blood. This gives you an energy "spike", but it soon disappears.</li><li>Unprocessed grains increase blood sugar levels only slightly and keep them stable for longer. This is partly because these grains contain more soluble fibre. This type of fibre becomes gel-like when it is mixed with water or other liquids. It helps to maintain blood sugar levels and helps you feel full for longer.</li></ul><p>You can find excellent sources of fibre in the
<a href="/Article?contentid=1437&language=English">vegetables and fruit</a> and
<a href="/Article?contentid=1438&language=English">grain products</a> food groups.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/INM_NRC_track1-5_nutrient_sources.png | Carbohydrate | | False | | | | | | |
