Wellbeing Nutrition Health Fitness Ecosystem Environment Animals Lifestyle Business About Contact Us Hamburger Toggle Menu Edit Template How Much Carbohydrate Do We Need? Carbohydrates are our primary energy source, and generally it is recommended that we obtain between 40% – 80% of our calorific intake from them.  This amount will vary according to age, gender, and the amount and type of regular exercise that is taken. Carbohydrates, regardless of the food they come from, provide 4 calories of energy per gram. So, for example, someone eating 2500 calories per day, with 60% coming from carbohydrates, would be consuming 375 grams of carbohydrate daily. Protein also provides 4 calories per gram, whereas each gram of fat supplies 9 calories. However, when used as energy sources, protein and fat are less efficient and healthful than carbohydrates. When carbohydrates are digested, they release glucose into the bloodstream to provide the energy we need. If you choose to follow a vegan diet, you will have no problem finding many good sources of carbohydrate since nearly all carbohydrates are plant-based. (An exception is lactose, found in dairy products.) Read Next Why We Need Vitamin D, And How Much Is Enough Why It’s Important For Vegans To Pay Attention To Vitamin B12 Protein Quality For Vegans Health Benefits Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids Excellent Vegan Vitamin D Sources Some Great Plant-Based Sources Of Omega 3 Why We Need Selenium, And How Much Is Enough The Best Vegan Sources Of Selenium