LET S FIND OUT GOOD HEALTH WHAT ARE CARBOHYDRATES DANIEL E HARMON Britannica Educational Publishing IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROSEN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
What are Carbohydrates The body gets fuel from chemicals and other substances that provide energy Carbohydrates carbs as people sometimes call them are the main sources of energy for most people Sugar starch and cellulose are important forms of carbohydrates There are different kinds of sugar The body needs certain types of natural sugar in regular amounts Fruit honey and milk contain natural sugars Other types of sugar are made by processing methods Processed sugars are not necessary for human health They are used largely as sweeteners for other types of food Raisins prunes apricots and dates are examples of foods that contain natural sugar 4
Starch is another form of carbohydrate Corn is a common dinner item that contains starch Starch is produced by green plants Corn wheat rice and other grains contain starch So do such vegetables as potatoes and beans Cellulose is a type of fiber contained Vocabulary Cellulose is the basic part of the structure of plant cell walls in plants Humans cannot digest dietary fiber but fiber is important because it keeps the digestive system active Whatever sources they come from carbohydrates are vital for human health But it is important for people to understand the sources and to favor good carbs over bad carbs 5
