CARBOHYDRATES Picture. What is the function of carbohydrates? Carbohydrates should be the main source of energy in your diet. Your digestive system breaks.

CARBOHYDRATES

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What is the function of carbohydrates?

• Carbohydrates should be the main source of energy in your diet.

• Your digestive system breaks carbohydrates down into ?

• Glucose

2 Types of Carbohydrates

• What are Simple Carbohydrates?• Foods which are quick to enter the blood and

therefore a source of quick energy• This energy is short acting.• Food examples?• Sugar (candy, soda, juice)• Fruit• Potatoes• Dairy (Lactose)

• What are Complex Carbohydrates• Foods which are slower to enter the bloodstream• This energy is longer lasting.• Food examples?• Whole grains• Vegetables• Beans• Nuts

BLOOD SUGAR LEVELSHealthy or Unhealthy?

Blood Sugar Levels Too High

70 -140 Optimal Mental and Physical Functioning

Below 70 Uncomfortable

Below 50 Life Threatening

Time Breakfast Lunch Dinner

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• Only people with which illness reach life threatening levels of blood sugar?

• Diabetes• What happens in diabetes?• The pancreas does not produce enough insulin

to control blood sugar levels. A person must take insulin and/or pills.

2 Types of Diabetes

• Type 1• Caused by genetics, considered an auto-

immune disorder, or possibly triggered by a virus

• Type 2• Caused by physical inactivity• And poor diet/obesity

Unhealthy Blood Sugar Levels

• What happens if you have a high sugar breakfast?• Your blood sugar spikes to a very high level.• What does that do to your insulin?• Your pancreas thinks a big meal is coming and puts out

too much insulin. This is called insulin overshoot.• What happens if your insulin levels overshoot?• Your blood sugar levels drop too low, into the

uncomfortable range. • What symptoms might you feel?• Hungry, weak, shaky, irritable, antsy

Healthy Blood Sugar Levels• To get a smooth blood sugar curve, staying within the optimal

function range, choose the following foods for each meal or snack:

• Combine protein, unsaturated fats, complex carbohydrates, and simple carbohydrates.

• With your partner, create a breakfast that follows the above suggestions.

• For example, here’s a quick breakfast:• Protein – peanut butter• Unsaturated fat – peanut butter• Complex carbohydrates – whole grain toast• Simple carbohydrates – an orange