What is the difference between a simple and a complex sugar? What food contains them?

Simple sugars are sugars with simple chemical compositions. These include glucose, galactose, fructose, lactose, maltose and sucrose. They are rapidly digested and absorbed so they quickly provide energy to our cells. Fructose is found naturally in fruits, while lactose is naturally present in milk products. Table sugar (white sugar), powdered sugar, honey, brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, and agave syrup are also all made of simple sugars. There are also simple sugars (as added sugars), in pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, sweets, dairy desserts, jams, soft drinks, punches and fruit drinks. Complex carbohydrates are long chains of sugars. They include starches (also called carbohydrates) and fiber. The starches are digested and absorbed more slowly than simple sugars. The energy from complex sugars are utilized more slowly in our cells. They are found in cereals and grains (wheat, barley, maize, rice, buckwheat, rye, oats, quinoa, etc.), in vegetables (peas, beans, lentils, etc.) and potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and cassava. Bread, pasta, chips, french fries, breakfast cereals, flour-based sauces, rice are all rich in starches. Fibers are not digested or absorbed, and therefore do not provide energy to our cells. However, they have many health benefits including being beneficial for our intestines. We find fiber in whole grain cereal products, in vegetables and fruits, in nuts and seeds, and legumes.

By me friend Isabelle, Dt.P.

#Alimentation #Nutrition