Fats provide how many calories per gram?

• A. 4 calories per gram
• B. 7 calories per gram
• C. 0 calories per gram
• D. 9 calories per gram

Answer: (D)

Fats deliver more energy per gram than other macronutrients because of their chemical structure and how energy is released during metabolism. Each gram of fat yields about 9 kilocalories, which is higher than the roughly 4 kilocalories per gram provided by carbohydrates and proteins. This greater energy density comes from fats being highly reduced hydrocarbons, which release a lot of stored energy when oxidized in the body. For context, alcohol provides about 7 kilocalories per gram, but it’s not considered a nutrient. Knowing these values helps explain why fat is such a dense energy source in the diet.