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Carbohydrate
The body's main quick energy source, from sugars, starches and fibre.
Macronutrients
Definition
Carbohydrates are sugars, starches and fibre, and are the body's main readily available fuel. Digestible carbohydrate supplies about 4 kilocalories per gram and is broken down to glucose, which cells burn for energy. Whole grains, vegetables, fruit and legumes provide carbohydrate together with fibre and nutrients, whereas refined sugars deliver energy with little else. Fibre is a carbohydrate the body cannot fully digest, which is why it barely raises blood glucose.
Related terms
Glycemic index
A 0–100 ranking of how fast a carbohydrate food raises blood glucose.
Fibre
Indigestible plant carbohydrate that aids digestion and steadies blood sugar.
Added sugar
Sugars put into food and drink, best limited to a small share of energy.
Source: Standard nutrition references on carbohydrates and energy metabolism. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What is carbohydrate?
Carbohydrates are sugars, starches and fibre, and are the body's main readily available fuel. Digestible carbohydrate supplies about 4 kilocalories per gram and is broken down to glucose, which cells burn for energy. Whole grains, vegetables, fruit and legumes provide carbohydrate together with fibre and nutrients, whereas refined sugars deliver energy with little else. Fibre is a carbohydrate the body cannot fully digest, which is why it barely raises blood glucose.
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