Question

When computing the caloric content of food and the percentage of fat contained in a food, one must remember that carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram, fat contain 9 calories per gram and protein contain 4 calories per gram.

A. True
B. False

Answer 1

The statement is true; carbohydrates and proteins each contain 4 calories per gram while fats contain 9 calories per gram. This is calculated using the Atwater system and is used to determine the caloric content labeled on food packages.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that carbohydrates and proteins both contain 4 calories per gram, and fats contain 9 calories per gram when computing the caloric content of food is true. These values are the standard estimates used in nutrition science based on the Atwater system and are often reflected in the nutritional labels on food packages.

The Atwater system uses average caloric contents derived from bomb calorimetry of whole foods, with carbohydrates slightly discounted for indigestible fiber. For example, the energy content in a food portion is calculated by multiplying the amount of each macronutrient (carbohydrates, protein, and fats) by their respective calories per gram and then summing the products to obtain the total caloric content.