Nutrition: energy value of foods: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Nutrition: energy value of foods

Sample item

A test meal contains 60 g carbohydrate, 25 g protein and 20 g fat. What is its approximate energy content?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. 520 kcal

Carbohydrate and protein each yield about 4 kcal per gram and fat about 9 kcal per gram. The meal gives 60 x 4 = 240, 25 x 4 = 100 and 20 x 9 = 180 kcal, a total of 520 kcal. Alcohol, for comparison, yields about 7 kcal per gram.

Option by option

  • A. 480 kcal

    This values fat at 7 kcal per gram, which is the figure for alcohol.

  • B. 420 kcal

    This values fat at 4 kcal per gram instead of 9 kcal per gram.

  • C. 645 kcal

    This values protein at 9 kcal per gram, but protein gives about 4 kcal per gram.

  • D. 520 kcal (correct)

    Correct. 240 + 100 + 180 = 520 kcal.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, 520 kcal. Carbohydrate and protein each yield about 4 kcal per gram and fat about 9 kcal per gram.

Why is "480 kcal" not the answer?

This values fat at 7 kcal per gram, which is the figure for alcohol.

Why is "420 kcal" not the answer?

This values fat at 4 kcal per gram instead of 9 kcal per gram.

Why is "645 kcal" not the answer?

This values protein at 9 kcal per gram, but protein gives about 4 kcal per gram.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: energy value of foods in PSM. The meal gives 60 x 4 = 240, 25 x 4 = 100 and 20 x 9 = 180 kcal, a total of 520 kcal. Alcohol, for comparison, yields about 7 kcal per gram.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nutrition: energy value of foods?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.