Energy in Food: Which of the following contains no calories (provides 0 kcal)?

• A. Olive oil
• B. Table sugar (sucrose)
• C. Water
• D. Chicken breast

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that calories in food come from macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each of these provides energy measured in kilocalories (kcal).
2. Identify the macronutrient content of each option: Olive oil is primarily fat, table sugar (sucrose) is a carbohydrate, and chicken breast is mostly protein. All these macronutrients provide calories.
3. Recognize that water contains no macronutrients and therefore provides no calories or energy.
4. Recall that calories measure the energy released when the body metabolizes food, and since water cannot be metabolized for energy, it contains 0 kcal.
5. Conclude that among the options given, water is the only substance that contains no calories.