How many calories per gram do fats contain?

Fats contain nine calories per gram, making them the most calorie-dense macronutrient compared to carbohydrates and proteins, which contain four calories per gram each. This higher caloric content is due to the chemical structure of fats; they are composed of long chains of carbon and hydrogen, which provide a substantial amount of energy when metabolized. The understanding of this caloric density is crucial in nutritional planning, particularly in contexts like tactical conditioning, where energy requirements must be carefully managed for optimal performance.