Macro #2 & #3: Carbohydrates Flashcards
(36 cards)
Carbohydrates basic reccomendations
- RDA 130 g/day for adults
- Our diets should have less than 10% of our diet be added sugars
Main functions of carbohydrates
- Provides energy by pulling from different parts of the body
- Prevents protein catabolism in the body
Red blood cells and carbs
Red blood cells rely on glucose because they do not have mitochondria which means they cannot create ATP or really do anything without glucose going through the anaerobic processes
Skeletal muscle and carbohydrates
Skeletal muscle is a primary energy source for our body, especially during exercise. This is THE ONLY source for high-intensity anaerobic exercise
The brain and carbohydrates
The brain and central nervous system use 60% of our glucose when at rest
Gluconeogenesis
Using things that are not carbohydrates to create glucose such as amino acids/lactate/glycerol
Simple carbohydrates (CHO)
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides (2 monosaccharides)
Complex CHOs
Oligosaccharides (3-9 monosaccharides)
Polysaccharides (10-1,000 monosaccharides)
Monosaccharides
Glucose
Galactose
Fructose
Galactose
Found in milk as part of lactose
Fructose
Found mainly in fruits and vegetables
Disaccharides
Sucrose
Lactose
Maltose
Sucrose
Glucose + fructose
Sugarcane, maple syrup, honey, table sugar
Lactose
Glucose + galactose
Found in milk or dairy
Lactose Intolerance
these people lack the enzyme or have insufficient levels of the enzyme that doesn’t break down the lactose disaccharide into the two monosaccharides (25% of US adults)
Maltose
Glucose + glucose
Polysaccharides
Starch
Glycogen
Fiber
These three are composed of many glucose monosaccharides
Starch
Mostly form amylose starch or amylopectin starch
Storage form of glucose in plants
Glycogen
Storage form of glucose in animals
Fiber
Structural components of plants (stems, cell walls) that are ingestible to humans
Slow Carbs
Enter bloodstream slowly
1. Fructose
2. Galactose
3. Amylose (starch)
Whole grains are complex CHO and slow carbs
Types of Complex CHOs
Whole Grains
Legumes
Starchy Vegetables
Whole grain v refined grains
Whole grains have
1. Endosperm: starchy portion of grain
2. Germ & Bran: fiber, protein, minerals, vitamins etc
Refined grains strip the germ & bran so all thats left is the starch that can do straight into your bloodstream with no nutritional benefit
Legumes
Peas, bens, lentils
Generally high in protein and fiber