What is the difference between carbohydrates and sugar?
Sugar is a carbohydrate.
There are 3 main sources of calories your body can use for energy:
carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Carbohydrates
are your body’s favorite source of energy.
There are 3 groups of carbohydrates:
- Complex
carbohydrates – complex in structure and take
longer to breakdown in the body. Examples
include starch found in potatoes or peas.
- Simple
carbohydrates – fairly simple in structure and easily broken down.
Table sugar and sugar in fruit are examples.
- Fiber
– very complex and cannot be broken down by
the digestive tract.
Fiber aids in weight loss
and delaying sugar absorption into the bloodstream. There are 2 types
of fiber.
-
soluble fiber - can be dissolved in water; examples - oats and apples
-
insoluble fiber - cannot be dissolved in water; examples - wheat bran, strings in celery,
and seeds on strawberries
Those with diabetes need to monitor carbohydrates
in their diet. Monitor the amounts of carbohydrates you have throughout the day.
Optimal blood sugar levels can be achieved in part by controlling
carbohydrate portions.
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