nut. exam 1: section 6: calories and energy calculations

Calorie (kcal)

A unit used to measure the energy food provides; one food Calorie equals one kilocalorie

The 4-4-9 rule

Carbohydrates provide 4 kcal/g, protein provides 4 kcal/g, and fat provides 9 kcal/g.

Calories from carbohydrates

Grams of carbohydrates × 4

Calories from protein

Grams of protein × 4

Calories from fat

Grams of fat × 9

Total calories from macronutrients

Add calories from carbohydrates, protein, and fat

Percent of calories from a macronutrient

 Calories from that macronutrient ÷ total calories × 100

Example: calories from 50 g of carbohydrates

50 × 4 = 200 calories

 Example: calories from 20 g of fat

20 × 9 = 180 calories

Example: percentage of calories from fat

If 180 of 2,000 calories come from fat: 180 ÷ 2,000 × 100 = 9%.

Alcohol’s energy value

 Alcohol provides approximately 7 kcal/g, although it is not one of the six essential nutrients