is fruit a complex or simple carb?

im confused about this. ive heard different things from different ppl. ny1 know for sure?

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Fruits are complex carbohydrates, which are extremely important in weight loss because every cell in your body uses carbohydrates as energy, and energy is what burns calories. Also, carbs are super important for proper brain function. ;) Most fruits and vegetables (if not all) are complex carbs... simple carbs consist of stuff like fruit JUICE, sugar (table), candy, cake, soda, all of that nasty, unhealthy crud. Fruits are super healthy, so don't be afraid to eat them, no matter the time!

Love and Alohas
ihilani

Fruits are simple carbs. The sugar present in fruit is fructose, which immediately enters the bloodstream, BUT given the many benefits of fruit, it's not a food to exclude.

why is juice simple, while whole fruit is complex?

They're both simple, but the juice is worse because it's devoid of much of the fiber that slows down the absorption of fructose into the bloodstream. Whole fruit is always preferable to juice.

Most fruits are considered complex carbs but it depends on their sugar and water contents.  Complex carb fruits that you will find on most lists of the kind include: Grapefruit, Apples, Prunes, Apricots, Pears, Plums, Strawberries, and Oranges.

Simple carbs are usually foods that have been processed because they are devoid of the natural nutrients in food that grows (ie there are no Cream Cheese Danish trees, sadly).  I found the following website to be very helpful with information and food lists.

www.weightlossforall.com/complex-carbs.htm

Fruit is a "Complex" carbohydrate.  I have had diabetes for almost 40 years and it has never been called a "simple" carbohydrate.  I was taught that Protein sneaks or crawls through your system, Complex Carbohydrates ( including fruit ) walks through your system, and Simple Carbohydrates run through your system.  The "glycemic" value of some fruits are higher than other fruits, like for instance a banana is a higher glycemic value than an apple.  It is better to choose the whole fruit than juice and some fruits are two to three fruit servings as is a banana, cantaloupe.  A medium piece or 1/2 cup is a fruit serving.  Hope this info helps.

Bethystan, you have confused me.  The very website that you linked to says that fruit is a simple carb, and has a whole fruity list of simple carbs here:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/simple-carbs. htm
That websites list of complex carbs has not one fruit on it.

Fruit is nutritious, and I think it has a place in any healthy diet, but it is a simple carb.  It breaks down quickly and raises your blood sugar level.  There is a reason that diabetics are often told to eat fruit if their blood sugar gets too low.  Fruit will raise blood sugar levels quickly.  Fruit may be a simple carb, but it is better for one's health than candy and sugar are.  At least with fruit you get needed nutrients and fiber.  I just wouldn't make a whole meal of it.  My boss eats nothing but fruit for breakfast and then, an hour later, wonders why she is suddenly starving.  It's because her blood sugar level has crashed.  I eat fruit, but I try to have it as a snack for quick energy, or pair it with a complex carb like whole grains.

Simple carbohydrates have one (single) or two (double) sugars.  Complex carbohydrates have three or more sugars.

Complex carbohydrates, often referred to as "starchy" foods, include:

• Legumes
• Starchy vegetables
• Whole-grain breads and cereals

Simple carbohydrates that contain vitamins and minerals occur naturally in:

• Fruits
• Milk and milk products
• Vegetables

Simple carbohydrates are also found in processed and refined sugars such as:

• Candy
• Regular (nondiet) carbonated beverages, such as soda
• Syrups
• Table sugar

Refined sugars provide calories, but lack vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Such simple sugars are often called "empty calories" and can lead to weight gain.

4 year old thread.  But half the replies say complex and the other half says simple.

I prefer to think of it as a plant. Fruit is nutritious and packed with vitamins, there's no reason to cut it out of your diet regardless of whether it is a simple or complex carb.