(a) A serving of a particular ready-to-serve brown & wild rice meal contains 4.5 g fat, 42 g carbohydrate, and 4.0 g protein. Estimate the number of calories in a serving.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the caloric values for each macronutrient: fat provides 9 calories per gram, carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram, and protein provides 4 calories per gram.
2. Calculate the calories from fat by multiplying the grams of fat by the caloric value per gram: \(4.5 \, \text{g} \times 9 \, \text{cal/g}\).
3. Calculate the calories from carbohydrates by multiplying the grams of carbohydrates by the caloric value per gram: \(42 \, \text{g} \times 4 \, \text{cal/g}\).
4. Calculate the calories from protein by multiplying the grams of protein by the caloric value per gram: \(4.0 \, \text{g} \times 4 \, \text{cal/g}\).
5. Add the calories from fat, carbohydrates, and protein to estimate the total number of calories in a serving.

Key Concepts

Caloric Content of Macronutrients

Each macronutrient provides a specific number of calories per gram: fats provide 9 calories per gram, carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram, and proteins also provide 4 calories per gram. Understanding these values is essential for calculating the total caloric content of a food item based on its macronutrient composition.

Caloric Calculation

To estimate the total calories in a food serving, multiply the grams of each macronutrient by its respective caloric value and then sum the results. This calculation allows for a straightforward determination of the energy content of the meal based on its nutritional breakdown.

Nutritional Labeling

Nutritional labeling provides essential information about the macronutrient composition of food products. Understanding how to read and interpret these labels is crucial for making informed dietary choices and for performing calculations related to caloric intake.