carbohydrate

Everyday

1. A carbohydrate is one of the main kinds of nutrients in food, which gives your body energy. tree →
2. Carbohydrates are found in foods such as bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals and fruit; sugars and starches are carbohydrates. tree →

In the lessons

In science and healthy-eating lessons carbohydrates are one food group alongside proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water; starchy carbohydrates should be a big part of meals, and sugary ones only a small part. Plants make carbohydrates (sugar and starch) by photosynthesis. In everyday life people say «carbs», and athletes eat them for energy.

Examples

• Pasta and bread are rich in carbohydrates. tree →
• Carbohydrates give us energy to run and play. tree →
• Potatoes contain a carbohydrate called starch. tree →
• Sugar is a carbohydrate too, but too much is bad for your teeth. tree →
• Plants make carbohydrates using sunlight. tree →
• A healthy plate has carbohydrates, protein, fruit and vegetables. tree →

Note

Countable, usually plural: carbohydrates. Informal: carbs. Long word: car-bo-hy-drate. Myth: carbohydrates are not bad; whole grains are healthy. Starch and sugar are both carbohydrates.