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carbohydrate

Definition

Carbohydrate is a type of food that your body uses for energy. It is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are found in many different foods, such as bread, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.

Imagine that you are going on a long car trip. You need to bring some food with you to eat along the way. You would want to bring some carbohydrates, like bread or crackers because they will give you the energy to keep going.

Carbohydrates are classified into three types:

  • Simple carbohydrates: These are the simplest type of carbohydrate. They are made up of one or two sugar molecules. Simple carbohydrates are found in foods like table sugar, honey, and fruit juice.
  • Complex carbohydrates: These are made up of many sugar molecules linked together. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods like bread, pasta, rice, and vegetables.
  • Fibre: This is a type of complex carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. Fibre is found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. They provide your body with energy and help to keep you feeling full. However, it is important to eat the right kinds of carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, so it is best to choose complex carbohydrates and fibre-rich foods.

How can the word be used?

Carbohydrates are an important part of the human diet.

carbohydrate

Different forms of the word

Noun: Carbohydrate.

Adjective: Carbohydrate.

Verb: To carbohydrate.

Plural: Carbohydrates.

Etymology

The word "carbohydrate" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "carbo", meaning "coal" and "hydrate", meaning "water". This is because carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and they contain the same ratio of hydrogen to oxygen as water.

Question

What foods are good sources of carbohydrate?