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There are two types of carbohydrate.

Sugars – also known as simple carbohydrates.

Starches – also known as complex carbohydrates.

Effects

These two types of carbohydrate have different effects on our body.

Sugars (simple) – these raise the body's blood sugar level very quickly, as they enter the blood stream rapidly after they are eaten.

Starches (complex) – these keep blood sugar levels constant, because they enter the blood stream very slowly.

Functions

The body needs carbohydrate for a number of reasons:

• for energy – 1g of carbohydrate gives the body 3.75kcal of energy
• wholegrain varieties of carbohydrate provide the body with fibre
• carbohydrate has a protein-sparing effect, allowing protein to be used for its primary function of growth and repair

Sources

We can get complex carbohydrates from foods that are rich sources of starch:

• bread – including bagels and wraps
• rice
• pasta
• cereal
• potatoes

We can get simple carbohydrates from the following foods:

• sweets
• biscuits
• shakes
• honey
• table sugar