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Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are commonly found in most organisms, and play important roles
in organism structure, and are a primary energy source for animals and plants.
Most carbohydrates are sugars or composed mainly of sugars. By far, the
most common carbohydrate found in nature is glucose, which plays a major
role in cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Some carbohydrates are for
structural purposes, such as cellulose (which composes plants' cell walls)
and chitin (a major component of insect exoskeletons). However, the majority
of carbohydrates are used for energy purposes, especially in animals. Carbohydrates
are made up of a 1:2:1 ratio of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen.
In western society's diet-conscious culture, carbohydrate is a dirty word. Yet, who would
argue that a carbohydrate rich apple is bad for your weight?
Carbohydrates provide energy for us to do our daily
work and they also help regulate the use of fat for energy.
Carbohydrates are our body’s primary fuel source, because it is
easier for our body to break down a gram of carbohydrate for energy
than it is to break down a gram of fat. If our body wants to use fat
as energy, we have to be doing something heavy or aerobic for at
least fifteen minutes. So, instead of fats, our body uses
carbohydrates as the source of energy.
We need to make sure our body has enough carbohydrates
to feed all of our cells. This is especially true after exercising.
Our muscles need glycogen, which comes from carbohydrates, to
replenish their stores. Once you are done exercising, you need to
replace the substances that were used to provide the fuel for your
body. During that time, consume enough carbohydrates to replace that
loss of energy.
How do we find carbohydrates? They are common in our
daily food consumption. Sources of carbohydrates are breads and
baked goods made with whole grain flours, such as whole wheat,
cracked wheat and oats. Others include whole grain breakfast
cereals, pasta and rice, vegetables as well as fruits. Experts
suggest that people should focus more on the intake of complex
carbohydrate foods that can be found in potatoes, grains, legumes,
and pasta.
Starchy complex carbohydrate foods such as bread,
pasta, rice, and bananas make you feel more satiated after meal.
These types of foods actually prevent you from getting hungry longer
than usual. Eliminating this feeling of hunger is an important part
of weight loss. High fat foods also produce that feeling of satiety,
but they are much higher in calories, risking weight gain.
Click on these links for additional information on
carbohydrates.
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