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Carbohydrates
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What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates, or carbs, are a major source of energy for your body, especially your brain and nervous system. Carbs include starches and sugars. Starches, found in bread, rice, pasta, cereals, and vegetables, are complex carbohydrates. Sugars, found in fruits, milk, candy, and other sweets, are called simple carbohydrates or simple sugars. How do carbohydrates affect blood sugar? The body takes carbs and turns them into blood sugar, also called blood glucose. Glucose is carried in your blood to all the cells in your body and gives you energy. The glycemic index measures the effect foods have on your blood sugar level. High-glycemic carbohydrate foods include potatoes, bananas, white bread, white rice, white spaghetti, french fries, soft drinks, and sugar. They are rated as high because when you eat these foods your blood sugar level goes up quickly. Low-glycemic carbohydrate foods include most beans, fruits, whole wheat, oats, bran, brown rice, barley, and whole-grain breakfast cereals. They raise blood sugar more slowly. How do carbohydrates fit into t weight-loss program? There is a lot of controversy about carbohydrates and weight loss. A healthy diet means eating a variety of foods. Reducing the amount of fat and calories you eat is what helps you lose weight. The USDA recommends that 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calories come from carbohydrates. Are some types of carbohydrates better than other types? Complex carbohydrates are better than simple sugars from candy and sweets. Complex carbohydrates provide more nutrients and fiber than sweets do, and give you more energy for a longer time. Complex carbohydrates are usually lower in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Eat more complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits and grains. Select sugar-free foods and avoid sweets as much as possible. Eat potatoes only once in a while because of their high glycemic index. For snacks, eat fresh fruits, raw vegetables, whole-grain crackers, and high-fiber cereals. For more information about healthy eating, contact your local chapter of the American Dietetic Association or call 800-877-1600. You can visit their Web site at www.eatright.org. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are available on the Internet at www.nutrition.gov.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File NTR4702F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
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