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Protein provides 3.2 calories per gram, not 4 calories per gram
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Saturday, February 24, 2007 1:34 am Email this article
How long have you heard that protein and carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram of food, and fat provides 9 calories per gram? Probably forever. But these numbers are bogus according to a recent paper by Dr. Geoffrey Livesey. Proper calculation
Calculate calores after subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage
The calorie content of food should represent the amount of calories left for your body to use after subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage.
It is called Net Metabolisable Energy.
Protein
Protein : 3.2 calories per gram
After subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage, protein contains 3.2 calories per gram, not 4 calories as we have always been told.
Fat
Fat : 8.7 calories per gram
After subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage, fat contains 8.7 calories per gram, not 9 calories as we have always been told.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates : 3.8 calories per gram
After subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage, carbohydrates contains 3.8 calories per gram, which is what we have always been told.
Alcohol
Alcohol : 6.3 calories per gram
After subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage, alcohol contains 6.3 calories per gram, not 7 calories as we have always been told.
Fiber
Fermentable fiber : 1.9 calories per gram
After subtracting the calories required for metabolism and storage, fermentable fiber contains 1.9 calories per gram, not 0 calories as we have always been told.
List of fermentable fibers
A list of some soluble (fermentable) fibers include:
- Psyllium
- guar gum
- cellulose
- oat bran
- barley
- inulin
- xanthan gum
- fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
- resistant starch
- sugar alcohols
REFERENCE
Livesey G. A perspective on food energy standards for nutrition labelling. Br J Nutr. 2001 Mar, 85(3):271-87.
AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Geoffrey Livesey
Independent Nutrition Logic
Pealerswell House
Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0QX, UK
fax +44 1953 600218
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