Why is it that only proteins, carbohydrates and fats are deemed to have caloric value?
Just to clarify - consider the hypothetical situation below:
100g of 'carbohydrates' = 400kCal
100g of 'protein' = 400kCal
100g of 'fat' = 900kCal
100g of 'vitamins, minerals and/or other electrolytes' = ?

The cal or ic value of a subst ance is a measure of how much energy can be obtained from that subst ance when it is burn ed or met abol ized by the body . The cal or ic value of a subst ance is typically determined by meas uring the heat that is produced when the subst ance is burn ed in a bomb cal or imeter , which is a device that is used to measure the heat of comb ust ion of a subst ance . \n \n Pro te ins , car bo h yd r ates , and f ats are the mac ron ut ri ents that provide the body with the energy it needs to function . They are the primary sources of cal or ic energy for the body . Vit am ins , min er als , and other electro ly tes are important for maintain ing good health , but they do not provide significant amounts of cal or ic energy . Therefore , they are not considered to have a cal or ic value in the same way that prote ins , car bo h yd r ates , and f ats do . \n \n It is worth not ing that the cal or ic value of a subst ance can vary depending on its chemical composition and the conditions under which it is burn ed or met abol ized . For example , the cal or ic value of a particular fat may be higher or lower than the cal or ic value of another fat , depending on the type and amount of fat ty ac ids it contains . Similarly , the cal or ic value of a particular car bo h yd rate may be higher or lower than the cal or ic value of another car bo h yd rate , depending on the type and amount of sug ars it contains . </s>