Carbohydrate Calculator

The Carb Calculator estimates the percentage of carbohydrates a person should consume each day.

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RelatedCalorie Calculator | Protein Calculator | Fat Intake Calculator


What are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates (carbs) are one of three primary macronutrients that provide energy, along with fats and proteins. Carbohydrates are broken down in the body or converted into glucose, and serve as the body's main source of energy. They can also be stored as energy in the form of glycogen, or converted to fat (which can also be used as a source of energy).

Types of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are often classified as either simple (monosaccharides and disaccharides) or complex (polysaccharides or oligosaccharides), originally to create a distinction between sugars and other carbohydrates. However, there are many foods that contain multiple types of carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, which can make the classification of certain foods ambiguous. Although carbohydrates are not essential nutrients (nutrients required for normal physiological function that the body cannot synthesize), they are an efficient source of energy that can potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes if consumed in controlled amounts.

The three main types of carbohydrates are sugar, starch, and fiber:

Generally, complex carbohydrates have greater nutritional benefits than simple carbohydrates, which are sometimes referred to as "empty carbs." Added sugars, a common form of simple carbohydrates, have little nutritional value and are not necessary for survival. While the body does require some carbohydrates (which are broken down into sugar), it is not necessary to consume sugary foods to meet this need. Complex carbohydrates such as fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and others, also provide carbohydrates the body can use for energy to function, along with many other nutrients it can use. Complex carbs are also digested more slowly, allowing a person to feel full for longer periods of time, which can help when trying to control weight. On the other hand, foods comprised of mainly simple carbohydrates such as soda, cookies, juice, and other baked goods, often have large amounts of sugars and fats, which may potentially lead to weight gain and diabetes since they tend to be easier to consume in excess.

How Many Carbs Should I Eat?

While this estimate varies depending on a number of factors, the Institute of Medicine recommends that a minimum of 130 grams of carbohydrates be consumed daily for adults. Other sources recommend that carbohydrates should comprise 40-75% of daily caloric intake. Although carbohydrates are not essential nutrients, and there are many fad diets that highly restrict or even eliminate carb intake, there are benefits to consuming a controlled amount of "good" carbs (which will be described below). When carbs are consumed in excess of what can be stored as glycogen, they are converted to fats, which act as stored energy. In a case where insufficient carbs and fats are available to be used for energy, the body will start breaking down protein instead, which can be problematic. Proteins perform many essential functions in the body, including serving as the building blocks for tissues and organs, driving many chemical reactions throughout the body, facilitating communication throughout the body, transporting molecules, and many more. Refer to the Protein Calculator for more information.

It is worth noting that not all carbohydrates are made equal. Certain sources of carbohydrates are better than others. For example, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans are better sources of carbohydrates than white bread, white rice, and those in processed foods. Within the context of carbohydrates in a diet, the main difference between simple and complex carbohydrates, sometimes referred to as "refined" and "whole," or even "bad" and "good" carbohydrates respectively, is that refined carbohydrates have been stripped of natural fiber. This is common in juices, pastries, bread, pasta, and many other common foods. Fiber is necessary for digestion, and it promotes healthy bowel movements and can, in some cases, decrease the risk of certain chronic diseases, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Whether or not carbohydrates are good or bad is often the subject of diet debates. This is because there is truth to both sides of the argument in that not all carbohydrates are the same and some are better than others, and carbohydrates can affect different people in different ways. Below are some of the key characteristics of good and bad carbs:

Good carbs:

Bad carbs essentially are the opposite of good carbs and:

How many carbohydrates a person consumes really depends on many personal factors. There are situations in which a low-carb diet can be beneficial, even life-changing, for one person, but having a lower-carb diet will not necessarily have health benefits for someone in a different situation. Many healthy foods that are filled with nutrients, such as vegetables, legumes, whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains contain carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not inherently bad so long as sugary drinks, fruit juices, and processed foods like cookies and candy, are avoided, or consumed in moderation. Eat enough carbs to suit your lifestyle and maybe seek out a dietitian if considering any drastic changes to your diet.

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