Carbohydrates for Grade 7: The Smart Way to Understand your Food

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy that our body relies on every day. They help us stay active, focused, and full of energy as we go about our daily activities. Foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables are rich in carbohydrates and are an important part of our meals.

But their role does not stop at giving energy. Carbohydrates also help the body store extra fuel, support brain function, and keep everything working smoothly. This article explains what carbohydrates are, how they help the body, and why they are important for a healthy lifestyle.

Table of Contents 

• What Are Carbohydrates
• Main Types of Carbohydrates
• Functions of Carbohydrates

What are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy. We require them to perform various day-to-day activities of our life. 

The term carbohydrate refers to an organic compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Starch, cellulose and sugars are the main forms of carbohydrates. Cereals, sweet potato, dairy products, potatoes, tapioca and corn are rich sources of carbohydrates.

Main Types of Carbohydrates

There are mainly two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex carbohydrates.

1.Simple carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates are sugars that are made up of one or two sugar molecules. Therefore, they are quickly digested. These are also called simple sugars. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are examples of simple carbohydrates or simple sugars.

Glucose is a simple carbohydrate. It is sweet in taste and easily soluble in water. It digests quickly and hence serves as an instant source of energy. Extra glucose is converted into glycogen by the cells in the liver. Then it is stored in the liver and muscle cells for future use.

Let’s discuss some of the common sources of sugars.

• Fructose and sucrose are the sugars found in fruits.

• Sucrose and fructose are found in honey.

• Lactose is found in milk.

• Table sugar that we use in tea and coffee contains sucrose.

• Jaggery is a rich source of sucrose, but it also contains glucose and fructose in small quantities.

2. Complex carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates are long chains of sugar molecules (glucose). Therefore, they take a longer time for digestion. Starch is one of the examples of complex carbohydrates.

Starch is a tasteless, odourless white substance which is insoluble in cold water. It is a complex carbohydrate that takes a longer time to digest than the sugars.

Therefore, it releases energy slowly. Cereals like rice, wheat, maize and vegetables such as potatoes are the main sources of starch.

Functions of Carbohydrates

Whenever we eat foods like rice, bread, fruits, or vegetables, our body breaks them down into simple sugars that give us fuel to move, think, and stay active.

But the role of carbohydrates doesn’t stop at just providing instant energy, they also help our body in other important ways:

• They store extra energy in the liver and muscles as glycogen, ready to be used whenever the body needs a boost.

• They prevent proteins from being used as fuel, allowing proteins to focus on growth and repairing the body.

• They support the digestive system and keep it working smoothly, helping the gut stay healthy.

• They provide fuel for the brain, keeping you alert, focused, and ready to learn.

• They help maintain overall energy balance, support daily activity, and keep the body running efficiently. 

Overall, carbohydrates are essential not just for keeping us active but also for supporting the proper functioning of our entire body.

So far, we’ve seen that carbohydrates are an important part of our daily diet. They give us the energy we need to stay active, focused, and carry out our everyday tasks. Along with providing energy, carbohydrates also help store extra fuel, support brain activity, and keep the body working smoothly. Including the right amount of carbohydrates in our meals helps us stay healthy, energetic, and ready for the day.