Nutrients are substances in food that the body uses for growth, repair, and maintenance, including vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. While many nutrients do provide energy, the term “nutrients” is not the correct answer when referring specifically to the amount of energy a food item supplies — that’s measured in calories. Nutrients are broadly categorized into macronutrients (which provide calories) and micronutrients (which support body functions without supplying energy). So while nutrients are essential for health, they are the components of food, not the unit of energy it provides. If you’re being asked what measures the energy content of food, calories is the accurate term, not nutrients.