April 16: Orientation to Carbohydrates - The Energy Nutrient

Question 1

How much energy do we get from carbohydrates?

Answer 1

4 calories per gram

Question 2

What is a saccharide?

Answer 2

A 6-carbon ring structure

Question 3

What is a monosaccharide?

Answer 3

One 6-carbon ring, also called simple carbs/simple sugar

Example: glucose, fructose, galactose
Found in: table sugar (glucose), fruits (fructose), milk (galactose)

Question 4

What is a disaccharide?

Answer 4

Two 6-carbon rings, also called simple carbs/simple sugar (like monosaccharides)

Example: sucrose, maltose, lactose
Found in: table/brown sugar (sucrose), beer/malt milkshakes/bean sprouts (maltose), milk (lactose)

Question 5

What is a polysaccharide?

Answer 5

More than two 6-carbon rings, called complex carbohydrates

Example: starch, fiber (not digestible), glycogen (not a food source)
Found in: vegetables, grains

Question 6

High fructose corn syrup

Answer 6

Made up of glucose and fructose molecules, but no bond between them (unlike table sugar)

Higher fructose content than table sugar so sweeter

Worries that higher level of fructose causes fat accumulation in the liver, but no solid evidence of this

Question 7

Glycogen

Answer 7

Animal “starch” made from hundreds of glucose units in a long chain with many branches. Stored in muscles and the liver. There is no food source for glycogen

Question 8

Salivary amylase

Answer 8

Enzyme that is released from our salivary glands when we consume carbohydrates, starting digestion

Question 9

Digestion of carbohydrates and end product

Answer 9

Saliva (salivary amylase), stomach, amylase (from pancreas)

End product is monosaccharides

Question 10

Lactose intolerance

Answer 10

When your body can’t break down or digest lactose. It happens when your body produces little to no lactase

Question 11

What are the two types of fiber?

Answer 11

Water-insoluble and water-soluble

Question 12

Water-insoluble fibers and benefits

Answer 12

Cellulose and hemi-cellulose

Help relieve constipation, reduce the risk of colon cancer, reduce the incidence of large intestinal problems like hemorrhoids and diverticulitis

Question 13

Water-soluble fibers and benefits

Answer 13

Gums and pectins

Helps lower blood cholesterol, heart disease risk and Type 2 Diabetes, improve satiety

Question 14

Daily value for fiber

Answer 14

25 grams/day for females
38 grams/day for males
Daily value is 28 grams (2,000 cal diet)