Which statement correctly describes simple carbohydrates?

• A. Simple carbohydrates are sugars found in table sugar and fruits and are easy to break down
• B. Complex carbohydrates are sugars that take longer to digest
• C. Fiber provides most of the body's energy
• D. Proteins are the body's primary energy source

Answer: (A)

Simple carbohydrates are sugars that your body can quickly break down into glucose for energy. They are composed of one or two sugar units, so foods like table sugar (sucrose) and many fruits contain these sugars in a form that’s rapidly digested and absorbed, giving a quick energy boost. In contrast, complex carbohydrates are longer chains of sugars such as starches and fiber, which require more digestion and provide energy more slowly and steadily. Proteins serve mainly for growth and repair rather than as a primary energy source, and fiber isn’t a major energy provider for the body (though some fermentation in the gut can yield a small amount of energy). So the statement about simple carbohydrates being sugars found in table sugar and fruits and being easy to break down best captures the concept.