Carbohydrate

What Are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are tiny parts in many foods we eat. They help give our bodies energy to play, grow, and stay healthy. Think of them like fuel for a toy car — they make things go!

Where Do They Come From?

We find carbohydrates in many places. Foods like bread, pasta, and rice have something called starch. Fruits and vegetables have natural sugars. Even milk has a special sugar called lactose. Sweet treats like cakes and candies also have added sugars from sugarcane or sugar beets.

Why Are They Important?

Carbohydrates help our bodies in many ways. When we eat them, our bodies turn them into energy. This energy lets us run, jump, and think clearly. Some carbohydrates, like those in whole grains, give us lasting energy. Others, like the sugar in fruits, give us quick energy.

Fun Facts

• Simple Sugars: Fruits have simple sugars like glucose and fructose. These are found in honey too!
• Complex Friends: More complex carbohydrates, called polysaccharides, include starch in grains and cellulose in plant fibers. These help us feel full.
• In Our Blood: Even our blood has a type of sugar called glucose. It helps our bodies work properly.

Carbohydrates are all around us, and understanding them helps us make healthy choices for our bodies!