Total carbohydrate and proportion of sugar

Your carbohydrate intake should account for 50 to 60 per cent of your total daily calories.

Carbohydrates, such as wholegrain bread and cereals, pasta and rice, contain starches and sugar which supply your body with energy, and are an essential part of your diet. They can aid digestion, help manage blood glucose levels and provide a range of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for your body to function.

On many food labels, sugar is shown as part of the carbohydrate section. Sugar will include both added sugar and natural sugar (eg fruit sugar known as fructose and milk sugar known as lactose).

Added sugars include sugars such as sucrose, glucose, glucose syrup, invert syrup, maltose and honey. Natural sugar can be found in high levels in pure orange juice.