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The Low Carb User Site Low Carb Diet FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Info on Atkins, South Beach and The Zone Diet.
Category: Main -> What is a Carbohydrate
| Answer | · What is a CarbohydrateWhat is a carbohydrate?
A carbohydrate is an organic chemical compound that consists of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are produced by photosynthetic plants. Carbohydrates are found in many of the foods we eat, sometimes in very high quantities. Some of the most common carbohydrate types are sugars, starches and cellulose. Our bodies use carbohydrates as an easily accessible energy source because they are easily converted into glucose. Glucose is used as energy for our brains and muscles, but when we have an excess of glucose it is stored as fat for future energy needs. When no glucose is available, your body will burn fat instead. Carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram.
There are two types of carbohydrates:
Simple carbohydrates contain naturally occurring sugars like fructose (fruit), sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk). Simple carbohydrates are quickly digested and converted to glucose to be used as energy. Excess glucose will turn to fat if not used. Many of the foods we eat, such as fruits, vegetables, milk, cakes, candies, jellies, soft drinks, sugar, and syrup contain simple carbs. On a low carb diet, you want to limit your intake of simple carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates include starches, dextrins, dietary fiber, and functional fiber. They are complex sugars, and our body has a harder time digesting them so they are less easily converted to fat. Complex carbohydrates are broken down more slowly and produce even, sustained energy as opposed to simple carbs which produce short bursts. Complex carbs can be found in whole grain breads, cereals, flour, pasta, rice, corn, oats, potatoes, and legumes.
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