Fats, Proteins and Carbohydrates
I’m sure that we’re all experts in this area since there is so much in the media about them. Fats are huge movie stars, carbohydrates have been on Big Brother and proteins are, perhaps, an author or something since less people care about them. We’re very concerned about what we eat as a society. But few people know the biochemistry[i] and, let’s face it, that’s the most interesting bit. The first thing you need to know about fats, carbohydrates and proteins is where to find them (outside the mags). Here is a list of common foods which are rich in one of these three: Fats Carbohydrates Protein · Chocolate Bread Fish · Chips Pasta Meat
Fats contain the most energy per gram followed by carbohydrates and then proteins with the least energy. We can measure energy in joules (J) and then put a K in front to stand for one thousand (1KJ = 1000J)[ii]. The table shows the typical energy values of fats, carbohydrates and proteins:
It is fundamentally important that you have a balanced diet. To be healthy you must eat some fat, some carbohydrates and some proteins.[iii] Each of these molecules serves several purposes in the body. Fats are used for insulation and are stored for future use. Carbohydrates provide energy and proteins are essential for growth and are the building blocks of muscles. The diagram below shows the basic structure of the three:  |
