The human body needs energy for maintaining body temperature and metabolic activity and for supporting physical work and growth. The energy is required to promote satisfactory growth in infants and children and to maintain constant appropriate body weight and good health in adults. The factors which influence energy needs are age, body size, physical activity and in some extent, climate and altered physiological status such as pregnancy and lactation. Daily energy expenditure of adults depends on their occupational activity, sleep and non-occupational activity. Total energy expenditure is predicted by Basal Metabolic Rate(BMR) multiplied by Physical Activity Level (PAL).

Dietary sources of Energy:

Nutrient	Foods	Nutrient Content for 100g Edible Portion
Energy	Cooking oils (Groundnut,Gingelly,Palmolein,Mustard,Coconut etc.,)	900 Kcal
	Ghee(Cow,Buffalo)	900 Kcal
	Walnut (Juglans regia)	671 Kcal
	Coconut dry (Cocos nucifera)	624 Kcal
	Almond (Prunus amygdalus)	609 Kcal
	Ground nut (Arachis hypogea)	520 Kcal
	Rice (Oryza sativa )	356 Kcal
	Jaggery, cane (Saccharum officinarum)	353 Kcal
	Dals( Soyabean,Greengram, Blackgram,Redgram,Bengalgram,Lentil)	335 Kcal
	Wheat(Triticum aestivum)	321 Kcal
	Chicken (skinless)	168 Kcal
	Milk (Buffalo)	107 Kcal