Carbohydrate

What are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates can be classified several different ways. They can be classified on the basis of their biochemical structure and by their physiological effects on blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Biochemical Classification
Biochemically, carbohydrates can be classified by their chain length. The 4 main groups are mono-, di-, oligo- and polysaccharides.

Physiological Classification of Carbohydrates
The glycaemic index (GI) is a way of rating carbohydrate in foods based on their effects on blood glucose (sugar) levels in the body.

How does the body regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels?
If blood glucose levels are not well controlled the body would have to withstand the extremes of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels). Extremes of blood glucose levels can at worst be life threatening.

Recommended Intakes of Carbohydrate for the General Population
The latest National Nutrition Survey carried out in 1997 shows that New Zealanders as a whole are consuming 46% of their energy from carbohydrate.

Carbohydrate counter
Calculate your carbohydrate intake.