What Are Carbohydrates Made of?

Your shopping basket contains many forms of carbohydrate. These include staple foods such as bread, potatoes and rice. But soft drinks, cereals, fruit and milk, also contain carbohydrates. When broken down into their most simple form, carbohydrates are made of sugar.

The Facts

• Carbohydrates are made of sugar molecules.

  According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "the basic building block of every carbohydrate is a sugar molecule, a simple union of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen." These sugar molecules form interlinking chains known as fiber and starch. Your body uses carbohydrates to create glucose, which provides energy for your muscles and vital organs.

Simple Carbohydrates

• Fruit contains carbohydrates in the form of natural sugars.

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that simple carbohydrates "include sugars found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables . . . and milk products." The body digests simple carbohydrates easily, so foods with high sugar content, or added sugars, can cause health problems.

Complex Carbohydrates

• Brown rice is a good source of complex carbohydrates.

  Your body has to work hard to break down starch and fiber molecules. These complex carbohydrates occur in whole grains, vegetables and fruit. The Harvard School of Public Health calls these foods "the best sources of carbohydrates," because they contain vitamins, minerals, plenty of fiber and only natural sugars.