Calories From Carbohydrates, Fat And Protein Needed Per Day

Calories From Carbohydrates, Fat and Protein Needed Per Day

Jun 14, 2011 | By Pha Lo

Fat, protein and carbohydrates are essential macronutrients that supply the body with energy and perform other vital functions. The requirements for each are specific to your weight, height, sex and age and are defined as a percentage of daily calories.

Recommendations

The USDA recommends that 45 to 65 percent of daily calories come from carbohydrates, 20 to 35 percent from fat and 10 to 35 percent from protein. Find your macronutrient needs, based on your specific stats, using the USDA's Dietary Reference Intake calculator.

Identification

Use food labels to identify the carbohydrate, protein and fat content of foods. Each macronutrient is labeled in g per serving, and as a percentage of daily calories, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Significance

Consuming adequate levels of each macronutrient is essential for health because fat, carbohydrates and protein serve various critical bodily functions. For example, carbohydrates regulate blood sugar while fat insulates major organs and protein aids in muscle growth and maintenance.