What is the Difference Between Fat and Carbohydrates (carbs)?

Carbohydrates and fats are macronutrients, and macronutrients are specific types of nutrients that provide either energy or calories to the body. Nutrients are substances that are required to promote growth, healthy metabolism and other vital functions of the body. Macro means large, and macronutrients are nutrients that are required in relatively large amounts in order to promote growth. Each macronutrient provides calories, but the amount of calories provided by each of these nutrients varies. Carbohydrates and proteins both provide 4 calories per gram, and fat provides 9 calories per gram. In addition to carbohydrates, fats and proteins, there is only one other substance that provides calories, which is alcohol. Alcohol provides 7 calories for every gram, but alcohol is not treated as a macronutrient because we do not require it for survival.

Carbohydrates are the one macronutrient that we need in the largest amounts, and between 45 and 64 percent of our calories should come from carbohydrates. The reason why we need this many carbohydrates in our diet is because these carbohydrates are the main source of fuel for our bodies, and are easily used for energy by the body. All of the cells and the tissues in our bodies can take the glucose from these carbohydrates for energy, and many parts of our body cannot function properly without carbohydrates, including our kidneys, brain, our muscles, our heart and our central nervous system. Carbohydrates also promote proper intestinal health and healthy waste elimination. Carbohydrates are naturally derived from starchy whole food sources including grains, potatoes, fruits, yogurt and milk. Carbohydrates can be found in smaller amounts in vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds and cottage cheese as well.

Another vital type of carbohydrates that our bodies need is Fiber, which refers to specific carbohydrates which are not digested by the body. Instead, these carbohydrates pass straight through the intestines, which can help to move waste out through our bodies more effectively. Low fiber diets can cause many health issues including hemorrhoids and constipation. Diets that are high in fiber on the other hand can decrease risks associated with obesity, high cholesterol and heart disease. Fiber rich foods include whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

Fats have picked up a pretty poor reputation because they are associated with the cause of weight gain, but there is a level of fat that is essential for our survival. Between 20 and 35 percent of our calories should come from fat. The reason why we need this much fat is for our normal development and growth, for concentrated energy, for assistance in absorbing a number of vital vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K and carotenoids, to provide cushioning for our vital organs, to maintain the membranes of our cells, and to provide stability, taste and consistency to many of the foods that we eat.

Fats are found in meat, nuts, poultry, milk products, margarine and butter, lard, oil, fish, salad dressings and grain products. There are three primary types of fats: saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and Trans fats. Saturated fats are most commonly found in foods like cream, butter, lard and meat. Trans fats are found in baked goods, fried foods, snack foods and margarines. These trans fats have been shown to significantly increase your risk of heart disease and other health issues. It is important to replace trans fats and saturated fats with unsaturated fats in your diet. These unsaturated fats are found in foods like black olives, olive oils, nuts, avocados and canola oil. These fats can actually decrease the risk of developing heart disease, and can also promote health.

The main differences between fat and carbohydrates lie in what purposes they serve in the body. Carbohydrates provide most of the energy that our bodies need, but fats provide more concentrated bursts of energy. Fats help our bodies digest and absorb the nutrients that we take in, including a number of vital vitamins that our bodies need to survive. Carbohydrates on the other hand promote healthy growth in many of the organs in our bodies, including our kidneys, brain, our muscles, our heart and our central nervous system.

About the Author

Ron Godlewski has written many articles on health, wellness, and maintaining vitality throughout our lifetime. Read more about the importance of nutrition and the many benefits of vitamins in our daily diets in the article library at the Health and Nutrition Articles Library, and even receive your own complementary copy of a nationally recognized health and nutrition magazine just for visiting!

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