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Writer's pictureThe eatwell dieticians

What are carbohydrates?

Now we have covered protein and fat profiles, let’s look at the last macro: carbohydrates. Carbs refer to the sugars, starches and fibers found in food that provide us with energy. They are the main macro found in a range of products like fruits, vegetables, grains, sugars, and cereals. Carbs are essential for physical activity, basic functioning of your liver and kidney, intestinal health, the central nervous system, and even brain activities. An insufficient carb intake will result in proteins being broken down for energy which in turn will prevent the synthesis and degradation of fat. Once you have calculated your macro targets for protein and fat you can allocate the remaining calories to your carb targets.


All carbs, whether they come from apples, whole-wheat pasta or candy, must first be broken down into simple sugar molecules before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. These simple sugar molecules, also known as monosaccharides, are the most basic chemical structure for sugar and form the building blocks of all carbohydrates. Once in the bloodstream, the simple sugar molecules are transported around the body where they can either be used for energy by your cells or stored for future use.




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