Final answer:
The appropriate range for carbohydrate intake as a percentage of daily calories is 50-60%, with a specific recommendation of about 55% from carbohydrates, focusing on complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and nutrient intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
The range of percentages of your daily nutrient intake that should account for carbohydrates is 50-60%. Notably, the American Heart Association recommends that about 55% of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates. This ensures you receive the necessary energy, along with important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. It is important to focus primarily on complex carbohydrates rather than simple sugars, as they provide energy more steadily and for longer periods.
Most of your carbohydrate intake should be from complex sources, and not from simple sugars found in candy and junk food, which do not contain fiber and essential nutrients. Carbohydrates themselves do not make you fat, as they are fat-free and contain fewer calories per gram than fat. The key is to avoid consuming more calories than you need, as excess calories will be stored as fat regardless of their source.