Nutrition and Your Body: Your Body on Carbohydrates

Nutrition and Your Body: Your Body on Carbohydrates — page 3
up tired But she ate a bagel with peanut butter and a banana and kale smoothie for breakfast She headed to her race knowing she had eaten just how her coach taught her In the moments before the starting whistle blows Lucy's mind is focused Her body feels energized When Lucy crosses the finish line she is in first place The changes in Lucy's body happened because of the carbohydrates in her breakfast Carbohydrates commonly called carbs are nutrients found in certain foods Carbs provide the body with energy The body's central nervous system kidneys brain and muscles need carbs to function HOW CARBS WORK There are two main types of carbs simple and complex Simple carbs are sugars Complex carbs can be grouped into starches and fibers The body breaks down carbs into sugar during digestion This type of sugar is called glucose First the glucose travels to the small intestine Then it is 6