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Sweet Indigestion

A Directed Case Study on Carbohydrates

By Peggy Brickman

Sweet Indigestion


 

Abstract

These days it seems like everyone is counting carbs. About 24 million Americans report they have cut carbohydrates from their diet, and 44 million more say they may try a low-carb diet in the next two years. But what do people really know about carbohydrates? This directed case study, designed for use in a large enrollment introductory course, teaches students how to recognize carbohydrates in the foods they eat and to differentiate between different classes of carbohydrates. Students learn how the body utilizes carbohydrates and discuss whether or not eliminating them from their diet can be healthful.

   

Date Posted

10/13/2004

Overview

Objectives

  • Recognize carbohydrates from a list of ingredients.
  • Construct a rule for determining if foods contain carbohydrates.
  • Practice differentiating between classes of carbohydrates on a food label.
  • Investigate carbohydrate utilization by the body.
  • Consider the issue of whether or not eliminating carbohydrates from one’s diet can be healthful.

Keywords

Carbohydrate; intestinal gas; undigested carbohydrate; starch, fiber; sugar; glucose; disaccharide; sucrose; polysaccharide; lactose; monosaccharide; cellulose; glycogen; dieting; food labels

  

Subject Headings

Biochemistry
Biology (General)
Nutrition

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Directed

 

 

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