Tag: Energy value of food

The Atwater system, developed in the late 19th century by Wilbur O. Atwater, is the foundation for modern calorie counting. The standard Atwater value is the set of conversion factors—4 kcal/g for protein, 9 kcal/g for fat, and 4 kcal/g for carbohydrates—used to estimate the metabolizable energy in food. These factors are essential for creating the nutrition facts labels found on most packaged foods.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), one gram of protein provides 4 calories, a standard value used for nutritional labeling and dietary planning. Understanding how many calories does 1 gm of protein provide is fundamental for anyone interested in managing their weight, building muscle, or simply tracking their nutritional intake. This article explores the caloric density of protein and its role in a balanced diet.