Carbohydrates 101: Understanding the Basics

What is a Carbohydrate?

1. Biological macromolecules are large molecules found in living things. Carbohydrates are a macromolecule.

2. The 4 macromolecules found in our food are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

3. Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio.

4. All carbohydrates are made of sugar.

5. Red blood cells use carbohydrates and the glucose needed by the red blood cells is made by the process of gluconeogenesis. You do not need to eat carbohydrates.

6. Carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient.