Defining Carbohydrate

A carbohydrate is an organic compound that consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with a hydrogen:oxygen ratio of 2:1 Carbohydrates are polymers made from monomers called monosaccharides. They are aldehydes or ketones.

Note: In food science and in many informal contexts, the term carbohydrate often means any food that is particularly rich in the complex carbohydrate starch or simple carbohydrates, such as sugar. This latter usage will be captured by compounding (foods)(containing)(sugar or starch) and users will be guided to this. The schedules thus guide us away from confusion and ambiguity.