1.8.4: Carbohydrates (Starch, Fiber, and Sugar)

Next on your food label is carbohydrates, commonly referred to as carbs. Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients and they are the most important source of energy for your body.

For each gram of carbohydrate we consume we are provided with 4 calories (this is less than half of the calories provided by one gram of fat!). Carbs are the primary energy source for the body’s cells, tissues, and organs (such as the brain and muscles).

When we eat carbohydrates our body breaks them down into glucose. Glucose then enters our blood stream and is readily available to provide energy to the body both to fuel the brain and nervous system and provide quick energy for exercising. If glucose in the blood (often called blood sugar) it is not immediately used it is stored in the liver and muscles for later use.

On your food label, you will see the total carbohydrate intake, which is further broken down into fiber and sugar intake. Carbohydrates are made up of three components: Fiber, Starch, and Sugars. Fiber and starch are considered complex carbs and sugar is a simple carb. Complex carbs have more nutrients than simple carbs and are better for your health. Complex carbs are higher in fiber, so they digest more slowly, and keep is feeling fuller longer.

Examples of Types of Carbohydrates in Foods^[2]

• Simple Carbohydrates: Candy, carbonated beverages, corn syrup, fruit juice, honey, table sugar
• Complex Carbohydrates: Apples, broccoli, lentils, spinach, unrefined whole grains, brown rice
• Starches: Potatoes, chickpeas, pasta, and wheat.
• Fiber:
  • Insoluble: Brans, seeds, vegetables, brown rice, potato skins.
  • Soluble: Fleshy fruit, oats, broccoli, and dried beans.

The Role of Fiber in Your Health

We need fiber in our diet! Dietary fiber supports our bowel movements, lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and reduces calorie intake. Unfortunately, more than 90 percent of women and 97 percent of men do not meet recommended intakes for dietary fiber. More than 85 percent of adults do not meet the recommended intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains which would provide them with fiber, and they eat a high amount of processed (refined) carbohydrates which reduce the natural fiber content.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Importance of Fiber

Refined (processed) vs. Unrefined Carbohydrates

Refined grains are foods that have been processed to remove parts of the grains, which then also removes some of the nutrients that are good for your health. For example, do you choose to eat white rice or brown rice? White rice begins as brown rice and then it gets processed (refined) to remove the rice’s husk, bran, and germ. When this happens, it removes important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, people sometimes refer to the refined carb as empty carbs or empty calories. The body processes refined carbs quickly, so they do not provide lasting energy, and they can cause a person’s blood sugar to spike. Sometime the white rice is “enriched” whereby fiber, vitamins, and minerals are added back into the rice.

To increase your fiber intake, choose whole grains that have not been refined (processed). To figure out whether a product has a lot of whole grain, check the ingredients list on the package and see if a whole grain is one of the first few items listed.

Food Sources of Dietary Fiber

Soluble and Insoluble Fiber

Fiber is commonly classified as soluble, which dissolves in water, or insoluble, which doesn’t dissolve. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and adds bulk to the stool, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools. Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains.

The Role of Sugar in Your Health

When looking at the food label you will notice data for total sugar and added sugars. Including added sugars was a part of the update to the new Food labels, previous to this update only total sugar was included. The difference in the two numbers is the source of the sugar, whether it is a naturally occurring sugar or sugar that has been added. Most Americans exceed the recommended limits for added sugars in the diet. There is evidence that diets low in sugar are associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diets higher in all sugars can increase the risk of developing cavities.

Natural Sugar vs. Added Sugar

Sugars naturally present in food include:

• Dairy products (such as milk and yogurt)
• Fruit (fresh, frozen, dried, and canned in 100% fruit juice)
• 100% fruit and vegetable juice
• Vegetables

Added sugars include:

• Baked goods (such as cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies)
• Desserts (such as ice cream and puddings)
• Salad dressings, sauces, spreads, condiments, and gravies
• Sugar-sweetened beverages (such as energy drinks, fruit drinks, soft drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened coffee and tea)
• Sweets (such as candies, jams, sweet toppings, and syrups)
• Single-ingredient sugars (such as table sugar, maple syrup, or honey)

Reflection: How much sugar do you consume?

How many teaspoons of sugar would you need to scoop into a glass to equal the amount of sugar in a Frappuccino?

• A grande Caramel Frappuccino® Blended Beverage has 54 grams of sugar.
• To help you solve this challenge, you first need to know that one teaspoon of sugar equals 4 grams of sugar.
• You would need to scoop 13.5 teaspoons of sugar into a glass to equal the amount of sugar in a grande Starbucks Frappuccino.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10% of total calories per day. If you are on a 2,000 calorie diet this would mean less than 50 grams per day of added sugars per day, which is less than one Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks.

Tips for Consuming Carbohydrates

• Use the food label to understand whether the food you are consuming is considered high or low based on %DV.
  • Note the total %DV for carbohydrates which will help you meet the AMDR for carbs which is to consume between 45-65% of your calories from Fats.
• Eat more whole grains (such as brown rice, bulgur, couscous, and quinoa) and choose whole grain versions of common carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, pasta, and rice.
• Look for options that are lower in added sugars, saturated fats, and/or sodium, such as: bread instead of croissants; English muffins instead of biscuits; and plain popcorn instead of buttered.
• Choose whole fruit (fresh, frozen, dried, and canned in 100% fruit juice) as snacks and desserts and use fruit to top foods like cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, and pancakes.
• Keep raw, cut-up vegetables handy for quick snacks—choose colorful dark green, orange, and red vegetables (such as broccoli florets, carrots, and red peppers).
• Add beans and peas or unsalted nuts and seeds to salads, soups, and side dishes. These are also great sources of dietary fiber and protein.
• Try unsweetened or no-sugar added versions of fruit sauces (such as applesauce) and plain, fat-free or 1% low-fat yogurt.
• More often, choose beverages such as water and fat-free or 1% low-fat milk. Less often, choose beverages that are high in calories but have few or no beneficial nutrients, such as energy drinks, fruit drinks, soft drinks, and sports drinks.
• Consume smaller portions of foods and beverages that are higher in added sugars or consume them less often.

Your Food Label: Carbohydrates

Evaluate the carbohydrates on your food label. What does the food label tell you about the carbs you are consuming? Is this a high or low carb food? What types of carbs are in the food item and are they processed/refined? Would you consider this to be a good source of carbs? How much does this food item contribute to the AMDR for carbs?