Which of the following best describes simple carbohydrates?

• A. Monosaccharides and disaccharides
• B. Monosaccharides only
• C. Polysaccharides
• D. Oligosaccharides

Answer: (A)

Simple carbohydrates are the basic sugar units that are quickly absorbed for energy. They consist of monosaccharides, which are single sugar molecules like glucose, fructose, and galactose, and disaccharides, which are pairs of sugars such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Polysaccharides are long chains of many sugar units (starch, fiber) and require digestion to release glucose, so they’re considered more complex. Oligosaccharides are short chains of a few sugars, often discussed as intermediate in complexity, but the term “simple carbohydrates” in nutrition most often refers to monosaccharides and disaccharides.