Why are macronutrients special?

• A. They are the only nutrients that don't contain calories.
• B. They are great for moving foods through your digestive tract.
• C. They strengthen your bones and your vision.
• D. They are the only nutrients that give you energy.

Answer: (D)

Macronutrients are the nutrients your body needs in larger amounts because they supply the energy your body uses to move, think, grow, and repair itself. They include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and they provide calories: about 4 kcal per gram for carbohydrates and protein, and about 9 kcal per gram for fat. That energy is what powers everyday activities and metabolic processes. Micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—are essential too, but they don’t directly provide energy. That’s why macronutrients are described as the nutrients that give you energy. The other statements don’t fit because calories do come from macronutrients, their main role isn’t moving food through the digestive tract, and bone strength or vision relate more to vitamins and minerals, not macronutrients in general.