Dear Sue:

How do you compute calories in carbohydrates? Or calories per gram of carbohydrates? Thanks,
Monica

Dear Monica:

Calculating calories per gram of carbohydrates, fat or protein is easy. All you need to remember is that:

• 1 gram of carbohydrate = 4 calories
• 1 gram of protein = 4 calories
• 1 gram of fat = 9 calories
• 1 gram of alcohol = 7 calories

Knowing this, you can figure the number of calories in any food in which you know the grams of the above nutrients.

For example, here are the calculations for a slice of bread that has 9 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat:

• 9 grams carbohydrates x 4 calories/gram = 36 calories
  
• + 2 grams protein x 4 calories/gram = 8 calories
  
• + 1 gram fat x 9 calories/gram = 9 calories
  _____________________________________
  

Total calories = 53.

Happy calculating!

Sue Gilbert, M.S., nutritionist

RESOURCES:

• Just what is a serving size anyway?
• Fat Calculations Made Easy
• Calories. You need them, but how many?
• Got a question or comment for Sue? Post it on the Eating for Good Health message board.