Understanding the Nutrients: Carbohydrates

Understanding the Nutrients: Carbohydrates

Today I want us to talk about something we learnt in primary school; the types of nutrients, their functions and the foods that supply them. Are you ready?

We will start with carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is a nutrient that contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is advised that you consume carbohydrates with complex sugars as against simple sugars. For example, the carbohydrate in table sugar or a soft drink is not as good as the one you will get when you eat leafy vegetables. When a person needs instant supply of energy, he/she can be given a simple carbohydrate like glucose.

Carbohydrates are a good source of energy for the optimum functioning of the brain which controls other organs and systems of the body. For every gram of carbohydrate you consume, the body produces four calories of energy. They are the main source of energy for our body and the only source of energy for our nervous tissues.

Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods like yam, rice, cassava, maize, millet, sorghum, etc. stored as starch and sugars; while a few are present in muscles, liver, human milk and animal cells. Other food sources include potato, plantain, cereals, etc.

Quick Advice

  • Pay attention to the types of carbohydrates you consume
  • Avoid simple, refined or processed sugars like the ones in pastries and soft drinks. They are empty calories because they do not add any value to your body, instead cause a spike in your blood sugar level
  • Excess carbohydrate is stored in the body as fat. These can clog your blood vessels and other organs causing harm to you
  • Eat the quantity you need, not what is available
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