ARS | Publication request: Carbohydrate and dietary fiber

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 2008
Publication Date: January 1, 2009
Citation: Abrams, S.H., Shulman, R.J. 2009. Carbohydrate and dietary fiber. In: Kleinman, R.E., editor. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook. 6th edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. p. 343-356.

Technical Abstract: Carbohydrate provides 50 to 60% of the calories consumed by the average American. Although relatively little carbohydrate is needed in the diet, carbohydrate spares protein and fat being metabolized for calories. The principal dietary carbohydrates are sugars and starches. Sugars (simple carbohydrates) include monosaccharides (glucose, glactose, and fructose) and disaccharides (lactose, sucrose, maltose and trehalose). Starches (complex carbohydrates - polysaccharides) are the storage carbohydrates of plants and consist of sugars (e.g., glucose) linked together.