Calorie is one way to measure the energy we get from the food we eat.

Macronutrient food groups

The major food groups such as carbohydrates, fats, protein, and alcohol in the foods and drinks we eat are called macronutrients and these provide food energy or “calories”.

Calories in major food groups

• Carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories per gram each
• fat has 9 calories per gram, and
• alcohol has 7 calories per gram.