Final answer:
The energy value of a meal or food can change depending on the amount and type of food consumed. Carbohydrates require less energy to process compared to proteins, which demand the most energy. Therefore, the breakdown of carbohydrates requires less energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy value of a meal or food can change depending on the amount of food consumed as well as the type of food consumed. The quantity and quality of food ingested, digested, and absorbed affect the amount of fat that is stored as excess calories. In general, carbohydrates require less energy to process compared to proteins. Therefore, the breakdown of carbohydrates requires less energy, while the processing of proteins demands the most energy.