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Section TitleHealthy Choices
  • Nutrition
    • Balance Your Meals
    • Eat Smaller Portions
    • Emphasize Healthy Carbohydrates
    • Eat Lean Protein
    • Limit Fat, Oil and Salt
    Main content

    Carbohydrate

    One of three types of nutrients used as energy by the body (the other two are protein and fat). Sugars are the simplest structures, while fiber and starches are more complex. The digestive tract breaks down most sugars and starches into glucose, a simple sugar that the body can use to feed its cells. Dietary intake of fiber-rich carbohydrates can lower blood cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat. The energy produced by carbohydrates is four calories per gram.


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    couple and food
    Free nutrition guide, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPIO)

    Information about gestational diabetes

    Last reviewed: 2012
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