CARBOHYDRATE CALCULATOR

classification of carbohydrates

Carbs are generally classified either as simple or complex, which is generally a separation between sugars (simple) and other carbs, though many foods contain a good mixture of the two types. In addition, we can further classify carbohydrates as starch, fibre and sugar.

Interested in diving deeper into fitness metrics? Explore our BMI Calculator, BMR Calculator, TDEE Calculator, and Body Fat Calculator for a thorough insight into your health parameters.

Sugar

Sugars are the simplest forms of carbohydrates and can be broken down and processed in the body very quickly. They are naturally found in fruits, dairy and vegetables, and can also be processed and added to foods as a sweetener. Common sweetened foods include biscuits, cakes, chocolates and many fizzy drinks.

Starch

Starches are complex carbohydrates that the body takes some time in breaking down. For this reason, they are often referred to as ‘slow-release carbs’- their energy is released slowly over a matter of hours. Starches are often found in many vegetables, legumes and grains.

Fibre

Finally, we have fibre. Fibres are complex carbs that are generally indigestible. They are crucial for digestive health, as they bulk out stool. They are found in fruits, whole grains, vegetables and many legumes.

Complex carbs should form the bulk of dietary carb intake. They have greater nutritional benefit, help to maintain insulin levels, lead to greater satiation, and will generally contain much-needed fibre. Sugars, often called ‘empty carbs’, offer little by way of fast release energy. They spike insulin levels, lead to hunger pangs as a result, and usually offer little micro-nutritional benefit or fibre.

We need carbs- we will shortly see how to work out how much, as we look at our carbohydrate calculator. However, we don’t need processed, refined sugar. Sugar should therefore be kept to a minimum. Rather, we want to take the bulk of our carbs from complex, fibre rich sources, including:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Legumes and pulses

These complex carbs, as noted above, will digest a lot more slowly. This means that energy will be released at a steady rate, keeping us energised and sated for longer. This makes them perfect for maintaining a lower intake, either of carbs specifically, or calories more generally.

Carb calculator

Estimates of carbohydrate needs- and they will be estimates- are dependent upon a great deal of factors. Amounts should start at a daily intake of 130 grams for a healthy diet in most adults. From here, they can form anything from 40-75% of total caloric intake.

Some people will need to keep intake at the higher end. This includes those who naturally metabolise carbs most efficiently, and those with demanding physical lifestyles, like athletes and manual labourers.

Carbohydrates are generally not considered an essential nutrient (though this lower end of 130 grams should usually be honoured). For this reason, many fad diets find it acceptable to severely limit carbohydrate intake, with those following a ketogenic diet being restricted to a mere 50g daily. These should be approached with caution, and only under medical review and recommendation.

For a clearer idea of how many grams of carbohydrates you should be taking in every day, it may be worth consulting a carbohydrate calculator. These will take several factors into consideration, such as your own biometric readings, your age and gender, your lifestyle, physical activity levels, and health and fitness goals. They will be able to tell you both in grams and calories how much of your diet should come from carbs, and what this will look like to you.