(a) A serving of a particular ready-to-serve chicken noodle soup contains 2.5 g fat, 14 g carbohydrate, and 7 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: \(2.5 \text{ g} \times 9 \text{ Cal/g}\).
3. Calculate the Calories from carbohydrates by multiplying the grams of carbohydrates by the caloric value per gram: \(14 \text{ g} \times 4 \text{ Cal/g}\).
4. Calculate the Calories from protein by multiplying the grams of protein by the caloric value per gram: \(7 \text{ g} \times 4 \text{ Cal/g}\).
5. Add the Calories from fat, carbohydrates, and protein to estimate the total number of Calories in a serving of the soup.

Key Concepts

Caloric Content of Macronutrients

Each macronutrient contributes 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.

Nutritional Calculation

To estimate the total Calories in a serving of food, one must multiply the grams of each macronutrient by its respective caloric value and then sum these products. This process allows for a straightforward calculation of the total energy content of the food.

Energy Balance

Energy balance refers to the relationship between the energy consumed through food and the energy expended through metabolic processes and physical activity. Understanding this concept is important for evaluating dietary choices and their impact on overall health and weight management.