Carbohydrates are a nutrient found in many foods that is converted into sugars during the digestive process. You might have heard that carbohydrates, or carbs, are bad for you, but this is not necessarily true. In fact, your body needs carbohydrates to function well and to provide energy. Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient found in many foods and beverages. Most carbohydrates are naturally occurring in plant-based foods, such as grains. Food manufacturers also add carbohydrates to processed foods in the form of starch or added sugar. The most basic carbohydrate is a sugar molecule, which joins together one or two units of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbs are divided into main three groups: simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates and fiber. The three different types of carbohydrates vary in nutritional value and are broken down in different ways during digestion. Learning about the three kinds of carbohydrates can help you make smart food choices in order to stay healthy every day.…