7/9/2019 Carbohydrate Calculator

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Carbohydrate Calculator
The Carb Calculator estimates the percentage of carbohydrates a person should consume each day.

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Age 25 ages 18 - 80

Gender male female

Height 5 feet 10 inches

Weight 160 pounds

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What are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates (carbs) are one of three primary macronutrients that provide energy, along with fats and
proteins. Carbohydrates are broken down in the body or converted into glucose, and serve as the
body's main source of energy. They can also be stored as energy in the form of glycogen, or converted
to fat (which can also be used as a source of energy).

Types of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are often classified as either simple (monosaccharides and disaccharides) or complex
(polysaccharides or oligosaccharides), originally to create a distinction between sugars and other
carbohydrates. However, there are many foods that contain multiple types of carbohydrates, such as
fruits and vegetables, which can make the classification of certain foods ambiguous. Although
carbohydrates are not essential nutrients (nutrients required for normal physiological function that the
body cannot synthesize), they are an efficient source of energy that can potentially reduce risk of
cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes if consumed in controlled amounts.1
The three main types of carbohydrates are sugar, starch, and fiber:

Sugars are the simplest form of carbohydrates and can be found naturally in fruits, dairy, and
vegetables; they can also be found in processed form in candy, cookies, cakes, and many
beverages.
Starches are complex carbohydrates that can be found naturally in many types of beans,
vegetables, and grains.
Fibers are complex carbohydrates that can be found in fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and
many types of beans. Fibers are essential for digestion.

Generally, complex carbohydrates have greater nutritional benefit than simple carbohydrates, which
are sometimes referred to as "empty carbs." Added sugars, a common form of simple carbohydrates,
have little nutritional value and are not necessary for survival. While the body does require some
carbohydrates (which are broken down into sugar), it is not necessary to consume sugary foods to
meet this need. Complex carbohydrates such as fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains,
legumes, and others, also provide carbohydrates the body can use for energy to function, along with
many other nutrients it can use. Complex carbs are also digested more slowly, allowing a person to
feel full for longer periods of time, which can help when trying to control weight. On the other hand,
foods comprised of mainly simple carbohydrates such as soda, cookies, juice, and other baked goods,
often have large amounts of sugars and fats, may potentially leading to weight gain and diabetes since
they tend to be easier to consume in excess.2

How Many Carbs Should I Eat?

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7/9/2019 Carbohydrate Calculator
While this estimate varies depending on a number of factors, the Institute of Medicine recommends
that a minimum of 130 grams of carbohydrates be consumed daily for adults. Other sources
recommend that carbohydrates should comprise 40-75% of daily caloric intake. Although
carbohydrates are not essential nutrients, and there are many fad diets that highly restrict or even
eliminate carb intake, there are benefits to consuming a controlled amount of "good" carbs (which will
be described below). When carbs are consumed in excess of what can be stored as glycogen, they
are converted to fats, which act as stored energy. In a case where insufficient carbs and fats are
available to be used for energy, the body will start breaking down protein instead, which can be
problematic. Proteins perform many essential functions in the body including serving as the building
blocks for tissues and organs, driving many chemical reactions throughout the body, facilitating
communication throughout the body, transporting molecules, and many more. Refer to the Protein
Calculator for more information.
It is worth noting that not all carbohydrates are made equal. Certain sources of carbohydrates are
better than others. For example, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans are better sources of
carbohydrates than white bread, white rice, and those in processed foods. Within the context of
carbohydrates in a diet, the main difference between simple and complex carbohydrates, sometimes
referred to as "refined" and "whole," or even "bad" and "good" carbohydrates respectively, is that
refined carbohydrates have been stripped of natural fiber. This is common in juices, pastries, breads,
pasta, and many other common foods. Fiber is necessary for digestion, and it promotes healthy bowel
movements and can, in some cases, decrease the risk of certain chronic diseases, according to the
US Department of Agriculture. Whether or not carbohydrates are good or bad is often the subject of
diet debates. This is because there is truth to both sides of the argument in that not all carbohydrates
are the same and some are better than others, and carbohydrates can affect different people in
different ways. Below are some of the key characteristics of good and bad carbs3:
Good carbs:

contain a low or moderate number of calories

are high in nutrients
do not contain refined sugars or grains
are high in natural fibers
are low in sodium and saturated fats
are low in, or do not contain, cholesterol and trans fats

Bad carbs essentially are the opposite of good carbs and:

are high in calories

are low in many nutrients
are full of refined sugars (ex. corn syrup, white sugar, honey, fruit juices)
are low in fiber
are high in sodium and may contain high levels of saturated fat
may be high in cholesterol and trans fats
are high in refined grains (ex. white flour)

How many carbohydrates a person consumes really depends on many personal factors. There are
situations in which a low carb diet can be beneficial, even life-changing, for one person, but having a
lower carb diet will not necessarily have health benefits for someone in a different situation. Many
healthy foods that are filled with nutrients, such as vegetables, legumes, whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and
whole grains contain carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not inherently bad so long as sugary drinks,
fruit juices, and processed foods like cookies and candy, are avoided, or consumed in moderation. Eat
enough carbs to suit your lifestyle and maybe seek out a dietitian if considering any drastic changes to
your diet.

1. Mayo Clinic. "Carbohydrates: how carbs fit into a healthy diet." Nutrition and healthy eating. www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-
lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/carbohydrates/art-20045705?pg=1.
2. Healthline. "Simple Carbohydrates vs. Complex Carbohydrates." www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/simple-
carbohydrates-complex-carbohydrates#7.
3. Live Science. "What Are Carbohydrates?" www.livescience.com/51976-carbohydrates.html

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