Functions Of Carbs Proteins And Fats Flashcards
Where are carbs obtained
Almost exclusively from plant sources. Milk is exception.
Carbs
1 of 3 macro nutrients, preferred energy source for brain, important source of energy for all cells, composed of carbon hydrogen and oxygen. Good sources are fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Simple carbs
Contain one or two molecules, referred to as sugars, disaccharides (lactose, maltose, sucrose)
Complex carbs
Long chains of glucose molecules, polysaccharides.
Simple carbs
Monosaccharides (single sugar units)
Glucose fructose galactose
Disaccharides (pair of sugar units)
Maltose sucrose lactose
Glucose
“Blood sugar” supplies cellular energy “fuel” most abundant carb.
Fructose
“Fruit sugar” sweetest of all, fruits honey maple syrup
Galactose
Not found free in nature, component of lactose “milk sugar” and some polysaccharides.
Maltose
Primarily in germinating seeds. Product of polysaccharide digestion in GI tract.
Sucrose
” table sugar” main energy ingredient in candy and other sweets, found in sugar cane sugar beets and some fruit. Composed of glucose and fructose.
Lactose
“Milk sugar” USDA recommends that the average person limit their intake of any foods with added sugar.
Polysaccharides
Consist of many glucose units linked together to form a long chain. Storage form of glucose. Starch glycogen fiber.
Digestible Complex carbs
Starch and glycogen
Indigestible complex carbs
Fiber cellulose hemicellulose, pectin
Starch
Storage form of glucose in plants.