Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source. Overall, it
is recommended that calories from carbohydrates, specifically
complex carbohydrates, make up about half of the calories you
consume daily. Types of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are
classified as simple or complex based upon their chemical
structure, which affects how quickly the sugar is digested and
absorbed. Simple carbohydrates such as fructose in fruit juice
or sucrose in table sugar consist of one sugar molecule or two
sugar molecules bonded together. Because they are so small,
simple sugars require little digestion and are rapidly absorbed.
Although this can be beneficial for a quick burst of energy,
food and beverages containing simple carbohydrates are often
lacking in nutrients and frequent consumption of these foods can
contribute to insulin resistance. Complex carbohydrates such as
the carbohydrate chains in fiber have three or more sugar
molecules and must be broken down into simple carbohydrates
before the body can absorb and metaboli