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Lecture Notes

Because carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy, the dietary recommendation is that you get about 55 to 60 percent of your total daily energy intake, or the total calories that you take in each day, from carbohydrates. And about 20 to 35 grams of fiber.

But the key with that 55 to 60 percent is that most of those should come from complex, not simple, carbohydrates. So we're talking about those polysaccharides not the mono and disaccharides.

It's okay to have some of the mono and disaccharides in your diet, but most of your 55 to 60 percent of carbohydrates should come from complex carbohydrates, such as those whole grains and fruits and vegetables.