5 Down

NYT Mini • October 1, 2025

Pasta or bread, informally

Answer:

CARB

Hint:

Think of what your body converts into energy from foods like rice, potatoes, or this answer—often limited in low-sugar diets.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the informal shorthand for carbohydrates, which are found in foods like pasta and bread. "Carb" is a common casual term for these starchy foods, so the answer is a straightforward abbreviation. The clue hints at the answer by naming two carb-heavy items without directly saying "carbohydrate."

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General solving tip

When a clue says 'informally,' 'slangily,' or 'casually,' think slang, clipped forms, or texting abbreviations. Try the short casual word you'd use in speech or a message.

More tips → General Hints