Carbohydrates

Question 1

Name the two functions of carbohydrates

Answer 1

Provides energy

Acts as a protein sparer - protein can be used for its main functions instead of as a secondary energy source

Question 2

Name the three types of carbohydrates. Which are complex and which are simple?

Answer 2

Sugars - simple
Starch - complex
Dietary fibre - complex

Question 3

What is the scientific name for starch?

Answer 3

Polysaccaride

Question 4

What is starch made up of?

Answer 4

Chains of sugars

Question 5

What are the three most important starches?

Answer 5

Starch, Pectin, Glycogen

Question 6

What is ‘starch’? What is is made from? How big is it?

Answer 6

The main food store in plants. Many glucose molecules. The size of molecules vary with each plant.

Question 7

What is pectin? What is its main use in food? What is its main use in the body?

Answer 7

Found naturally in some fruits. It forms a gel in water and helps jams to set. It is thought to reduce cholesterol in the blood.

Question 8

What is glycogen? What is its main use in the body?

Answer 8

Made from glucose by humans. Small amounts are stored in liver and muscles as an energy reserve.

Question 9

What are good sources of starch?

Answer 9

Root vegetables, cereal and cereal products

Question 10

Name some symptoms of deficiency from starch. Are they common?

Answer 10

Lack of energy - drop of level of glucose in blood
Weight loss - body will start to use fat stores if continued
Severe weakness - if fat stores are depleted, protein stores are used.
These are all unusual

Question 11

How much of the energy in your diet should come from carbohydrates?

Answer 11

50%

Question 12

What happens if there is an excess of starch? What can it lead to?

Answer 12

If not used, it is converted to fat and stored in the body. It can lead to obesity. Obesity can lead to further health issues: increased risk of type 2 diabetes an cardiovascular diseases

Question 13

Wha could high levels of sugar lead to?

Answer 13

Tooth decay and obesity

Question 14

Does sugar contain any other nutrients?

Answer 14

No

Question 15

What do artificial sweeteners do?

Answer 15

They sweeten food/drink without increasing the energy content

Question 16

What are hidden sugars and what can we do to prevent shoppers being caught out?

Answer 16

They are sugars hidden in foods you wouldn’t expect sugar to be in. Shoppers should check food labels carefully.

Question 17

Give examples of what you could look for on a food label to catch hidden sugars. What could sources of hidden sugars include?

Answer 17

Corn sugar, dextrose, molasses, invert sugars, words ending in -ose are sugars.
Tomato ketchup, ready meals, ready-made sources.

Question 18

Complete the sentence : ‘sugars can be named based on…

Answer 18

…where they are found’

Question 19

Define fruit sugars

Answer 19

Sugars that occur naturally and are found within the cell walls.

Question 20

What is a free sugar?

Answer 20

A sugar which has. Been released from the cell wall or is added to the food.

Question 21

Which one is better for you: free sugars or fruit sugars?

Answer 21

Fruit sugars

Question 22

Why are sugars also known as quick release energy?

Answer 22

They are simple and easy to break down so therefore they are quick to absorb

Question 23

Name the two ‘catagories’ that sugars are divided into and give some examples

Answer 23

Monosaccharides (simple) and Disaccharides (double)
Monosaccharides - Glucose (fruit + veg), fructose (fruit + honey)
Disaccharides - Sucrose (sugar + syrup), Lactose (dairy), Maltose (cereal)

Question 24

How might you identify sugar on a packet?

Answer 24

Usually: -ose means it is a sugar
-ate means it it the enzyme that breaks down the corresponding sugar.
E.g. lactose and lactase

Question 25

What type of carbohydrate is dietary fibre?

Answer 25

Polysaccharide (Non-Starch polysaccharide)

Question 26

Give some sources of dietary fibre

Answer 26

Whole grain cereals and products, fruit and veg, pulses

Question 27

Name the four functions of dietary fibre

Answer 27

Maintaining a healthy digestive system
Weight control
Prevents bowel disease: constipation, diverticulitis, bowel cancer
Providing soluble fibre for lower cholesterol

Question 28

Name the two types of fibre

Answer 28

Soluble and insoluble

Question 29

What are the functions of soluble fibre?

Answer 29

Slows digestion and absorption of carbohydrates
Helps control blood sugars
Can reduce blood cholesterol

Question 30

Give some sources of soluble fibre

Answer 30

Oats, nuts, legumes, fruit (e.g. prunes, bananas, apples), vegetables (e.g. potatoes, broccoli, carrots)

Question 31

Name the functions of insoluble fibre

Answer 31

Cannot be broken down by the body
Absorbs water
Swells (leading to bulkier stools)

Question 32

Give some sources of insoluble fibre

Answer 32

Whole grain foods, brown rice, fruit and vegetable peels/skins, nuts and seeds

Question 33

What happens if there is an excess of dietary fibre? What if there is a deficiency?

Answer 33

Too many cereals limits the absorbtion of iron and calcium

Constipation, digestive problems and an increased risk of bowel cancer

Question 34

What is the Daily Reference Value for dietary fibre?

Answer 34

Adults = 30g
Children = slightly less due to size