A carb is a macronutrient—a sugar, starch or fiber found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. They’re hard to avoid and they’re one of the most basic food groups humans need to stay alive.
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Sources of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are found in a wide array of both healthy and unhealthy foods—bread, beans, milk, popcorn, potatoes, cookies, spaghetti, soft drinks, corn, and cherry pie. They also come in a variety of forms.
There are three main sources of carbohydrate which include
(i) Starches: Starches are present in plenty of cereals, roots, tubes and also in plant stems. Cereals (wheat, rice) account for most of the dietary carbohydrate.
(ii) Sugar: Sugar can be found in fruits, honey and things that produce sugar. Glucose is an essential element of sugar. This is very much needed for small children, especially during the period of teething and their growth stage. Lactose and jams, other fruits and honey also provide sugar. The consumption of sugar increases as the economic status of the people rises.
(iii) Cellulose: Cellulose is the fibrous substance of fruits and vegetables. It is hard to digest and has no nutritive value. Its main function is to serve as roughage and facilitate bowel movements.
FUNCTION OF CARBOHYDRATES IN THE BODY
- Providing energy and regulation of blood glucose
- Sparing the use of proteins for energy
- Breakdown of fatty acids and preventing ketosis
- They influence heart hearth and diabetes
- They promote digestive Heath
- Carbohydrates help preserve muscle
Strategies & Activities:
Step: Teacher revises the previous topic.
Step 2: Teacher introduces the new topic.
Step3: Teacher explains the new topic.
Step4: Teacher welcomes pupils’ questions.
Step5: Teacher evaluates the pupils.
Assessment & Evaluation:
- Explain the meaning of carbohydrates
- State the sources of carbohydrates
- State the functions of carbohydrates
See also
Characteristics of living things