Which term is best described as the body's main energy source composed of sugars and starches?

• A. Creaming Method
• B. Nutrition Facts Label
• C. Healthy Diet
• D. Carbohydrates

Answer: (D)

Carbohydrates are the body's main energy source, made up of sugars and starches. When you eat them, they’re broken down into glucose, the fuel cells use for energy. This is especially important for quick, everyday activities and for the brain, which relies largely on glucose. Each gram of carbohydrate provides about 4 calories, and excess can be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles for later use. Simple sugars give fast energy, while starches provide a more sustained release as they digest more slowly. Fiber is also a carbohydrate but isn’t digested into glucose, so it doesn’t contribute energy. The other terms aren’t energy sources: one is a cooking method, another is a labeling system, and the last is a general approach to eating, not a nutrient.