Which of the following is considered a simple carbohydrate?

Simple carbohydrates are sugars that are quickly absorbed by the body, providing a rapid source of energy. They are found naturally in foods like fruits, where they exist in the form of fructose, and they can also be present in added sugars.

Fruits, such as apples, bananas, or berries, contain simple sugars alongside fiber, vitamins, and other beneficial nutrients, which make them a nutritionally rich option compared to processes that contain added sugars. The natural sugars in fruit can be quickly utilized by the body for immediate energy, which is characteristic of simple carbohydrates.

The other options, such as brown rice and whole grains, consist primarily of complex carbohydrates. These types of carbohydrates take longer to digest and provide a gradual release of energy. Nuts, while healthy and nutrient-dense, are mostly composed of fats and proteins rather than carbohydrates, and they do not contain simple carbohydrates in significant amounts.