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- FUNCTIOIN-
-
- Carbohydrates are the
- body's principal source of
- energy. Carbohydrate is
- made of sugars, complex
- carbohydrates (starches)
- and dietary fiber. Starches
- and sugars are converted to
- glucose by the body and
- carried in the blood to pro-
- vide energy for cells. Most
- unused glucose is stored in
- the muscle or liver as glyco-
- gen or converted to body fat.
-
-
- FOOD SOURCES-
-
- All fruits, vegetables, beans
- & peas, grains, cereals, and
- baked goods. Small
- amounts in nuts and dairy.
- There is no carbohydrate in
- meat.
-
-
- RISKS WITH EXCESS-
-
- A diet high in simple carbo-
- hydrates (table sugar, honey,
- corn syrup, etc.) and low in
- complex carbohydrates
- (starches) doesn't supply the
- necessary amounts of pro-
- tein, fat, vitamins and mine-
- rals required to ensure
- health. Most complex forms
- of carbohydrates contain
- some fat and protein. There-
- fore, a diet above the recom-
- mended 55 to 60 percent of
- total calories from complex
- carbohydrates would pro-
- bably not pose a risk.
-
-
- RISKS WITH DEFICIENCY-
-
- A diet low in carbohydrate is
- probably too high in fat or
- protein, which can increase
- the risk of certain diseases.
- It is recommended that 55 to
- 60 percent of daily calories
- come from carbohydrate.
-