Articles  - Nutrition

Common sugars found in foods:

  • Corn Syrup: Made from corn and composed mainly of glucose.
  • Fructose: A simple sugar found in fruits, honey, and root vegetables. Fructose does not elicit a glycemic response
    so it is sometimes used as a sweetener for foods intended for people with diabetes.
  • Galactose: A simple sugar found in milk products.
  • Glucose: The main source of energy for the body and the sugar produced when carbohydrates are digested or
    metabolized. Glucose is sometimes referred to as dextrose. Starch is comprised of long chains of glucose.
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup: A mixture of glucose and fructose produced from corn.
  • Lactose: The sugar found naturally in milk, it is composed of one galactose unit and one glucose unit; sometimes
    called milk sugar.
  • Maltose: A disaccharide composed of two glucose units. It is found in molasses and is used in fermentation.
  • Sucrose: Commonly referred to as table sugar, it is composed of one glucose unit and one fructose unit, bonded
    together.

A sugar alcohol is neither sugar nor alcohol but is actually a carbohydrate with a chemical structure that partially resembles
a sugar and partially resembles an alcohol. Another term for sugar alcohols is polyols. They are a group of caloric
sweeteners that are incompletely absorbed and metabolized by the body and consequently contribute fewer calories than
sugars.

Carbohydrate and Sugars Consumption Recommendations
Children and adults need a minimum of 130 grams of carbohydrates per day for proper brain function. The Institute of
Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) recommends a maximum intake level of 25 percent or less from added sugars.
HOME   Wellness    Diet     Nutrition    Weight Management    Personal Care   Articles   Recipes           

Carbohydrate Classification

Carbohydrates encompass a broad range of sugars, starches,
and fiber. The basic building block of a carbohydrate is a simple
union of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Sugars in Foods
Sugars come in several forms, most containing approximately
four calories per gram.
Simple sugars are called monosaccharides, made up of single
sugar molecules.
Examples of these are glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Table sugar is made up of equal amounts of the simple sugars
glucose and fructose, which are joined together by chemical
bonds. Starches and fiber are made up of many simple sugars
joined together chemically. Any carbohydrate that is made up of
more than two simple sugars is referred to as a polysaccharide
Carbohydrates and Sugars
Carbohydrates are one of three basic macronutrients needed to sustain life (the other two are proteins and fats). They are
found in a wide range of foods that bring a variety of other important nutrients to the diet, such as vitamins and minerals,
phytochemicals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Fruits, vegetables, grain foods, and many dairy products naturally contain
carbohydrates in varying amounts, including sugars, which are a type of carbohydrate that can add taste appeal to a nutritious
diet.
An Abundant LifeStyle - Your Guide to Health and Nutrition