Carbs 101

Over the last couple of years, carbohydrates have become one of the most hotly debated topics in nutrition. Unfortunately, all the media hype has resulted in the spread of misinformation and the labeling of all carbohydrates as “bad.” It only takes a quick review of the basics to separate fact from fiction and to learn that all carbs are not created equal.

What are carbohydrates anyway?

The word “carbohydrate” is a broad term used to describe a large number of different compounds that are all composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The main forms of carbohydrates are called monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides and fibre.

Why do we need carbohydrates?

How many carbs should I eat?

Although the exact amount of carbohydrate needed by the body is unknown, approximately 60% of your daily energy should come from carbohydrates, with up to 20% coming from sugars. At a minimum, you should eat 130 grams of carbohydrate per day to ensure that the brain has enough energy to function. If you are following an extremely low carb diet, it’s possible you may not be getting enough carbohydrates.

Choosing Healthy Carbohydrates

When choosing carbs, quality is the name of the game. Wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, beans and peas provide healthy carbohydrates and can be a great source of many important vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fibre and phytochemicals. On the flip side, be sure to manage your added sugar or refined carbohydrate intake because high sugar diets can make it difficult to get enough essential nutrients.