Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
meaning sugars.
- An organic compounds abundant in plants and
widespread in nature. It forms the basis of the
energy cycle on Earth.
- They are synthesized from water and carbon
dioxide by photosynthesis.
- Measured as Kcal or Joules.
- About 50-60% of energy needs come from
carbs: and as much as 80% in low-income
families.
Chemical Nature
- it contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
- The ration of hydrogen to oxygen is 2:1 as in
water molecule, hence the word carbo-
hydrate referring to hydrated carbon.
According to digestibility, carbohydrates are
simply grouped into:
Root crops
Rice
Recommended Daily Intake of Carbohydrates
Recommended daily allowance for carbohydrate
is 50 to 60% of total caloric requirement should
be provided by carbohydrates; 10 to 15% from
protein and 30% from fat.
In practical dietary planning, it is better to
supply carbohydrate foods that are not “empty
calories” (pure carbohydrate foods supplying
energy and no protein, vitamins or minerals).
PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS RELATED TO
CARBOHYDRATE
Rich Enrichment Laws
In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 832 requires
the addition of thiamin or vitamin B1 niacin and
iron to milled rice. Two cups of enriched, raw
rice contains 1.6 mg thiamin, 13 mg niacin and
10 mg iron.
Also PD 1211, which regulates the milling of
rice, requires all mill owners/operators to mill a
minimum of 10% of palay received or milled by
them into brown rice.
The Food and Fortification Law (RA 8976) passed in
November 2000, requires the fortification of
wheat flour with vitamin A and iron, cooking oil
and sugar with vitamin A and rice with iron within
4 years that is, by November 2004.