Facts About Sugars and Starches

Sugars and starches are also known as carbohydrates and are found in most foods. Starches or complex carbohydrates are found in grains such as rice, flour used to make bread, pasta, and crackers, and in fruits and vegetables. Starches or complex carbohydrates include vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre as well as sugars.

Simple carbohydrates or sugars are found in milk and milk products, honey, molasses, maple syrup, sugar, processed foods, candy, cakes and pastries. They are also found in fruits and vegetables.

During digestion, starches and sugars are dismantled into simple sugars and are absorbed into the blood. Cells of the body use a simple sugar called glucose with oxygen to produce heat and energy to fuel body actions and productions.
There are 4 calories in each gram of carbohydrate such as sugars and starches. Dietary intake of starches and sugars above what is used is converted to and stored as fat.

Between half and three quarters of daily dietary intake should be complex carbohydrates, with a minimal amount of simple sugars.
With aging, the rate of energy production and fuel use declines resulting in a decreased requirement for starches and sugars.

Points to Consider	What Can I Do to Help?	When Should I Call for Help?
An adequate amount of dietary sugars and starches will prevent the use of protein to produce heat and energy. Excess digested sugars and starches may be stored to provide a source of backup fuel for energy production. This stored fuel is called glycogen.	Limit the dietary intake of sugars. Monitor levels of toleration.	The use of protein to produce heat and energy may result in weight loss and dehydration. Report weight loss, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, a lack of energy, frequent infections and a poor healing ability
Sugars are often disguised or hidden in processed foods.	Make an effort to reduce obvious sources of sugar intake. Use natural sugars such as those available in fruits to sweeten foods. Some approved artificial sweeteners may be used to sweeten foods.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interfere with the absorption of some medications.	Avoid grapefruits and grapefruit juice as directed.

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