Carbohydrates as either simple or complex, depending on how many sugar molecules they contain.
Simple carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates have one or two sugar molecules and include glucose, fructose, sucrose, and lactose.
Simple carbohydrates naturally occur in:
fruits
fruit juices
milk
milk products
Complex carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates contain longer, more complex chains of sugars. Complex carbohydrates also contain fiber and starch.
Examples of complex carbohydrates include:
whole grains, including some types of bread, cereal, pasta, and rice
peas and beans
vegetables and fruits
Refined carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates-
Are foods that have gone through processing that removes some of their ingredients, such as fiber and minerals.
Examples of refined carbohydrates include:
white bread, pasta, and rice
processed breakfast cereals
cakes, sweets, and baked goods
sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup
