Unit 1: Carbs Flashcards
(80 cards)
Monosaccharides
simple sugars which serve as the building blocks for all other carbohydrate (CHO) sources
Disaccharides
simple CHOs formed when two monosaccharides bond
Oligosaccharides
CHOs composed of a relatively small number of monosaccharide units; found in various plant foods
Polysaccharides
complex CHOs composed of long chains of monosaccharides; should comprise the majority of CHO intake due to their nutrient impact on health
also called complex carbohydrates, these form the basis of intake recommendations for athletes
Types of monosaccharides
glucose, fructose, galactose
Types of disaccharides
sucrose, lactose, maltose
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
man-made sweetener made from corn starch known to have a negative impact on metabolic health and body weight
Names of added sugars
anhydrous dextrose, corn syrup solids, invert sugar, malt syrup, molasses, nectars, sucrose, etc.
How much added sugar does the average American consume?
~22.2 teaspoons of added sugars per day = ~15% of daily calories (~355 kcals/day)
What is the American Heart Associations recommendation for daily sugar intake?
no more than 100-150 kcals/day
How much sugar does research estimate American consume per year?
150 lbs./year (1 soda a day = 32 lbs. a year)
Major sources of added sugar in American diet
- Processed grains
- Dairy desserts and milk products
- Fruit drinks
- Cakes, cookies, pies and other pastries
- Soft drinks and candy
Glycogen
storage form of CHO in the body (average skeletal muscle contains 300-400g; the liver contains 80-120g)
Starch
chains of sugars that are easily digested and metabolized for energy provision; accounts for >50% of CHOs consumed by athletes
Glycogen storage?
liver glycogen maintains blood glucose
muscle glycogen supplies energy during muscle contractions
Examples of starchy foods
bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, chestnuts
Fiber
non-starch polysaccharide that resists digestion in the gut; associated with numerous health benefits and optimized weight management
Daily fiber recommendation for females
25-30 g/day
Daily fiber recommendation for males
30-40 g/day
Insoluble fiber
adds bulk to stool and helps food pass more efficiently through the intestines
Soluble fiber
attracts water and turns into gel, slowing the digestive process and positively impacting blood sugar management
Benefits of fiber
- Adds bulk (satiety)
- Decreases glycemic index- slows absorption
- Increases intestinal mobilization
- Decreases circulating cholesterol and triglycerides
- Removes intestinal carcinogens
- Balances intestinal pH and microbiota
- Aids weight management and body composition goals
Gastrointestinal microbiota
bacterial populations present in the gastrointestinal tract which can have a profound impact on health as well as risk for obesity
Satiety
sensation of fullness experienced following consumption of a meal