Science

Carbohydrates

There are two main types of carbohydrate:

Both types provide the same amount of energy and less than half the amount provided by fat, gram for gram.

Sources of starch include breakfast cereals and cereal foods (eg wheat, rice, maize, cassava, oats, rye, barley) roots and tubers (eg yams, potatoes, root vegetables), pulses and some fruit.

Sugars are naturally found in milk, honey and fruit but are also added to many prepared foods (eg biscuits, puddings, sweets and soft drinks).

Frequent consumption of these 'added' sugars has been linked to dental decay, particularly where dental hygiene is poor.

At least half of the energy in our diets should come from carbohydrate, mostly from starchy foods.

nutrition information illustration