Complex carbohydrates come from whole grains and vegetables like sweet potatoes.
Simple carbohydrates are found in everything from tablesugarto fruit.
Both types of carbs give your body energy.
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Because simple carbs are easier to break down, they give you a short burst of energy.
Complex carbs, which take longer to digest, provide a lasting source of energy.
What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbsare nutrients present in the food you eat.
There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.
Simple carbs are short molecule chains.
Complex carbs are longer chains.
Because they’re short molecule chains, simple carbs are easy for your body to break down.
Complex carbs take longer.
Complex carbs take longer to digest than simple carbs do.
Examples
Some complex carbs are better choices than others.
Some examples of nutritious complex carbs include:
All of these foods are excellent sources of fiber.
The part of the kernel that’s left is the starchy endosperm.
It has less fiber and nutrients, even though vitamins and minerals are sometimes added to refined grains.
Many of these foods also come inwhole grainoptions, which can be a nutritious way to continue enjoying them.
Simple Carbohydrates
As the name suggests, simple carbs have a very basic chemical structure.
They may bemonosaccharidescomprising a single sugar molecule, like glucose.
Or they may bedisaccharides, which have two simple sugars linked together, as withlactose(milk sugars).
Simple carbs are fairly easy for the body to digest.
Enzymes in the small intestine break them down before they enter the bloodstream.
Many foods contain simple carbs and are also rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
These foods include things like fruit, dairy, and some vegetables.
Not all simple carbs are nutritious, however.
This is why it’s best to limit simple carbohydrates, especially those with low nutritional value.
For most adults, that comes out to about 12 teaspoons.
Kids under 2 shouldn’t have any added sugars at all.
Summary
Carbs are necessary for a healthy diet.
Simple carbs have a basic chemical structure and are easy for the body to digest.
Complex carbs have longer, more complex chains of sugar molecules and take longer to digest.
Thehealthiest complex carbsinclude whole grains, most vegetables, beans, and legumes.
Why carbohydrates aren’t your enemy.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Get the facts: Added sugars.
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