How many calories per gram does protein have

The grams to calories calculator is a simple tool that allows you to convert the amount of macronutrients (expressed in grams) into calories. The article below shows how to convert grams to calories and how many calories there are in a gram of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and alcohol.

Not sure how many grams of each macronutrient you should consume daily? Check out our macro calculator!

Grams to calories conversion

Almost all food labels have information stating the number of total calories and grams of macronutrients, but you will rarely see the number of calories from each macronutrient. This grams to calories calculator helps you to understand the difference between calories and grams, and learn the conversion rules.

Knowing how to convert grams to calories allows you to:

  • follow a healthy diet;
  • check if you're meeting your energy requirements; and
  • achieve healthy weight.

How many calories in a gram of carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the human diet. They include sugars, starches, and fiber.

Carbohydrates consumed in food provide 3.87 kcal of energy per gram for simple sugars, and 3.57 - 4.12 kcal per gram for complex carbohydrates. These values are usually rounded to 4 kcal per gram of carbohydrate to simplify the calculation.

How many calories in a gram of protein?

Proteins are the major functional and structural component of every animal cell. They consist of amino acids, some of which humans cannot synthesize. It means you must obtained proteins from your diet.

As with every macronutrient, they also provide energy - 1 gram of protein provides approximately 4 kcal.

How many calories in a gram of fat?

Fat is the most energy-dense macronutrient - 1 gram provides 9 kcal.

You need fats for the construction and maintenance of cell membranes, to maintain a stable body temperature, and to supply fat-soluble vitamins.

How many calories in a gram of alcohol?

Alcohol contains quite a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram. The amount of alcohol consumed in grams may not be possible to find on the label, but, don't worry, there is an easy way to calculate it using the information provided on every product! Our grams to calories calculator uses the formula below to do it for you:

alcohol [g] = volume [ml] * alcohol by volume [%] * volumetric mass density [g/mL]

The last variable is constant and equals 0.78924 g/mL for alcohol, so we can also present the equation as follows:

alcohol [g] = volume [ml] * alcohol by volume [%] * 0.78924 [g/mL]

Calorie (cal) and kilocalorie (kcal) - is that the same?

Have you ever wondered if the phrase grams to calories and grams to kcal mean the same thing? We are here to give you the answer.

There are two main definitions of a calorie:

  1. Small calorie or gram calorie (we usually denote it as cal).
  2. Large calorie, food calorie, or kilocalorie (which we present as Cal, calorie, or kcal).

In nutrition, we commonly use the word calorie to mean the number of kilocalories (kcal) when providing nutritional information, therefore our grams to calories calculator uses the phrases grams to calories and grams to kcal interchangeably.

Convert grams to calories - practical example

Let's convert grams to calories using the following nutritional information as an example.

Macronutrient

Grams

Carbohydrates

23

Protein

4

Fat

9

To calculate the number of calories in this food product, you need to use the appropriate conversion rate for each macronutrient:

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How many calories are in a gram of protein? This is a question that many people have asked, and it can be difficult to find an answer. That's because the number of calories in a gram of protein can vary depending on the source. In this article, we will break down the calorie count for a gram of protein from different sources. We will also discuss how to calculate the number of calories in a gram of protein yourself. So, whether you are looking for information about calories in chicken or beef protein, we have you covered.

Best Pre Workout Protein Supplements

  1. Elm & Rye Pre Workout      

  2. Healthy Truth Organic Pre Workout Blend

  3. Outwork Nutrition Pre Workout

  4. Flume Botanicals Flow Pre Workout

  5. My Protein The Pre Workout

  6. Alpha Lion Super Human Pre 

  7. 373 Lab Pre Workout

When it comes to counting calories, protein is a valuable nutrient to pay attention to. A gram of protein contains four calories, making it a relatively low-calorie food. However, because protein is essential for human health, it's important to make sure you're getting enough of this nutrient.

There are a number of high-protein foods available, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts. If you're looking to boost your protein intake, any of these foods would be a good choice. You can also go for plant-based sources of protein such as tofu, quinoa, and black beans.

Protein is beneficial for many aspects of health, including weight loss and muscle growth. It's also important for maintaining muscle mass as you age. If you're not getting enough protein in your diet, you may experience problems such as hair loss, weak bones, and fatigue.

So how much protein should you eat each day? The recommended intake varies depending on your age and activity level. But generally speaking, most people need around 50 grams of protein per day. Meeting this requirement can be easy if you include a variety of high-protein foods in your diet.

How many calories does it take to digest 1 gram of protein?

The body uses different amounts of energy to digest different types of food. Protein requires more energy to digest than carbohydrates or fat. For every gram of protein you eat, your body uses about 25% of the calories for digestion. 

This means that if you eat 100 calories worth of protein, your body will use about 25 of those calories to break it down. In comparison, if you eat 100 calories worth of carbohydrates, your body will use about 12-15% of those calories for digestion.

Digesting protein requires more energy from the body, but it is also the most filling nutrient. This means that when you include protein in your meals, you are likely to feel fuller for longer. This can help you control your weight in the long-term. 

Protein is an important nutrient for many aspects of health, so it's important to make sure you're getting enough of it in your diet. By including a variety of high-protein foods, you can easily meet your daily protein needs.

Does your body burn more calories breaking down protein?

As mentioned above, digesting protein requires more energy from the body than carbohydrates or fat. This means that when you eat protein, your body burns more calories in the process of breaking it down. 

However, it's important to keep in mind that the number of calories burned during digestion is relatively small. So while eating protein can help you burn a few extra calories, it's not going to have a major impact on weight loss. 

If you're looking to lose weight, focus on making other changes to your diet and lifestyle. These include eating fewer calories overall, increasing your physical activity level, and reducing your intake of unhealthy foods. Making these changes can help you reach your weight loss goals.

What are some high-protein foods?

There are a number of high-protein foods available, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts. If you're looking to boost your protein intake, any of these foods would be a good choice. You can also go for plant-based sources of protein such as tofu, quinoa, and black beans.

In general, animal-based proteins are considered to be the best quality because they contain all the essential amino acids that our bodies need. However, plant-based proteins can also be a good option, especially if you're following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Some of the best high-protein foods include chicken, beef, pork, lamb, salmon, tuna, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, quinoa, and black beans. These foods can help you meet your protein needs while also providing other important nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12.

If you're looking to boost your protein intake, try including more of these high-protein foods in your diet. You can also use protein supplements to help meet your needs, but it's always best to get your nutrients from food first.

Protein is an important nutrient for many aspects of health, so it's important to make sure you're getting enough of it in your diet. By including a variety of high-protein foods, you can easily meet your daily protein needs.

How much protein do you need each day?

The recommended intake varies depending on your age and activity level. But generally speaking, most people need around 50 grams of protein per day. Meeting this requirement can be easy if you include a variety of high-protein foods in your diet.

If you're looking to increase your protein intake, try adding more of these high-protein foods to your diet: chicken, beef, pork, lamb, salmon, tuna, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, quinoa, and black beans. Including a variety of these foods will help you meet your protein needs while also providing other important nutrients.

Protein is an important nutrient for many aspects of health, so it's important to make sure you're getting enough of it in your diet. By including a variety of high-protein foods, you can easily meet your daily protein needs.

What are some benefits of protein?

In addition to being essential for growth and development, protein has a number of other important functions in the body. For example, protein is needed for the repair and maintenance of cells and tissues. It's also necessary for the production of enzymes and hormones.

Protein is an important nutrient for many aspects of health, so it's important to make sure you're getting enough of it in your diet. By including a variety of high-protein foods, you can easily meet your daily protein needs. Including protein in your diet has a number of benefits, such as:

  • aiding in weight loss

  • reducing the risk of osteoporosis

  • improving muscle mass and strength

  • reducing the risk of heart disease

  • improving cognitive function

Protein is an important nutrient for many aspects of health, so it's important to make sure you're getting enough of it in your diet. By including a variety of high-protein foods, you can easily meet your daily protein needs. 

Now that you know more about calories in a gram of protein: full breakdown and why protein is beneficial to your diet, it's time to share more details about the best pre workout supplements we featured in the start of this article: 

1.     Elm & Rye Pre Workout   

Image courtesy Elm & Rye 

These Pre-Workout supplements are designed to enhance performance, endurance, focus, and strength using adaptogenic and clinically-studied ingredients.

The combination of caffeine, beta alanine, ashwagandha, B12, reishi, and coenzyme Q10 is meant to help promote performance, endurance, focus, and strength during training. You'll have more energy and be more focused longer.

Vitamin B12 is required for protein catabolism and muscle growth. It has a critical role in DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation, allowing oxygen to reach the muscles, resulting in increased stamina and strength.

Studies have found that reishi mushrooms may help the body regulate its immune response and care for inflammation caused by too much exercise. This pre workout blend includes reishi to ensure that you get the best ingredients for maximum protein before your fitness routine. 

2.  Healthy Truth Organic Pre Workout Blend

Image courtesy Healthy Truth 

This Pre-Workout is one of the first 100% plant-based and whole food pre-workouts on the market. It's ideal for boosting physical performance by providing natural, sustained, and time-released energy with only 4 superfood ingredients. There are no added sugars, fillers, chemicals, stimulants, or additives in this product.

Organic beet root powder and organic acai berry powder provide natural nitrates to improve blood flow and increase oxygen delivery to working muscles. This results in increased stamina, strength, and endurance.

Organic green coffee bean extract is a natural source of caffeine that provides sustainable energy without the crash associated with other stimulants. It also contains chlorogenic acids, which have been shown to improve fat metabolism.

3.  Outwork Nutrition Pre Workout

Image courtesy Outwork Nutrition 

Outwork Nutrition's Pre-Workout is a high-energy formula that combines the best ingredients to help you reach your fitness goals. It includes Creatine Monohydrate, Beta-Alanine, and Caffeine Anhydrous to support increased energy, strength, and endurance.

Creatine Monohydrate is a compound that helps supply energy to cells, resulting in increased stamina and performance. Beta-Alanine is an amino acid that helps delay fatigue during exercise, allowing you to workout for longer periods of time.

Caffeine Anhydrous is a form of caffeine that is quickly absorbed by the body, providing a boost of energy. All of these ingredients work together to help you reach your fitness goals.

4.  Flume Botanicals Flow Pre Workout

Image courtesy Flume Botanicals 

FLOW is a pre-workout drink mix made with natural ingredients to give you energy, help you focus, improve stamina, and lift your mood. It has electrolytes from coconut water and Himalayan sea salt to keep you hydrated. Additionally, adaptogens and nootropics make sure you're starting your workout on the right foot.

FLOW is the best way to improve your energy and focus before working out, or anytime you need an edge. We sustainably source our ingredients from the mountains and jungles of South America and India so that you can feel guilty-free about using our product. Attacking your day will be a breeze with FLOW!

5.  My Protein The Pre Workout

Image courtesy My Protein 

My Protein's Pre-Workout is a high-performance formula that includes Creatine Monohydrate, Beta-Alanine, and Caffeine Anhydrous. It's designed to support increased energy, strength, and endurance.

Creatine Monohydrate is a compound that helps supply energy to cells, resulting in increased stamina and performance. Beta-Alanine is an amino acid that helps delay fatigue during exercise, allowing you to workout for longer periods of time.

Caffeine Anhydrous is a form of caffeine that is quickly absorbed by the body, providing a boost of energy. All of these ingredients work together to help you reach your fitness goals. My Protein's Pre-Workout is the best way to make sure you're getting the most out of your workout.

Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps with muscle growth, repair, and maintenance. It's important to know how many calories are in a gram of protein so that you can properly fuel your body. 

6.  Alpha Lion Super Human Pre 

Image courtesy Alpha Lion 

Superhuman Supreme is a cut above the rest of our pre-workouts. It contains powerful ingredients that will give you the energy you need to get through your workout. If you're looking for a hardcore pre-workout, this is the one for you.

Juniper extract and AstraGin® work together to enhance stimulant power and euphoria. You'll absorb more. Feel better. Lift more weight in your workouts. Beta-alanine and citrulline malate help to buffer lactic acid build-up so you can train harder for longer.

Caffeine anhydrous provides a clean source of energy that will help you power through your workout. If you're looking for a pre-workout that will take your workouts to the next level officially, try Superhuman Supreme. You won't be disappointed.

7.  373 Lab Pre Workout

Image courtesy 373 Lab 

Get the advantage you need to train at your best. Pre-Workout Sour Raspberries from 373 Lab has 150 milligrams of natural caffeine and incorporates performance-enhancing ingredients such as Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, L-Arginine, L-Tyrosine, and L-Theanine in precise dosages.

Sour Raspberries Pre-Workout is a supplement that is perfectly matched to give you a surge of long-lasting energy, focus, and performance. Taste the difference with Sour Raspberries Pre-Workout! Raspberries are combined in just the right proportions to be neither too sour nor too sweet.

Is 1g of protein always 4 calories?

Each gram of carbohydrate and protein yield 4 calories/gram. Each gram of fat yields 9 calories. A calorie is a measurement, just like a teaspoon or an inch. Calories are the amount of energy released when your body breaks down (digests and absorbs) food.

Why does protein have 4 calories per gram?

A gram of protein is always four calories, but you will have to use energy to digest it. The energy needed to digest protein is 0.8-1.2 calories per gram, leaving you effectively with 2.8-3.2 surplus calories per gram of protein. Pure amino acids are "pre-digested" and should thus be quite close to 4 calories per gram.

How many calories are there in 100 grams of protein?

There are 401 calories in 100 grams of Protein Powder. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.