Calories and Kilocalories
In this article we will provide you the Difference between calories and kilocalories Similarities and FAQs.
What does calories mean?
Calories are a measure of the energy contained in foods, drinks and fuels . This energy is developed during metabolism (the process by which the body converts food into energy) and is used for all physical activities the body performs, including breathing, digestion, and exercise. If there is an excess of calories ingested compared to those burned, these can become body fat. On the other hand, if there are more calories burned than consumed, there will be an energy deficit that will lower our body weight. Calories also directly influence our feeling of hunger: the less we eat, the greater our feeling of hunger.
What does kilocalories mean?
Kilocalories (also known as kilojoules) are a measure of the energy contained in food. This is used to determine the amount of heat our body obtains when it eats and digests food, allowing us to know how nutritious it is and how much it gives us energy. It is calculated from chemical analysis, measuring the total content of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates present in said food; establishing a nutritional value generally expressed in kilocalories . Once their values are known, we can compare them to choose those options that are healthier or more appropriate to our daily needs.
Similarities between calories and kilocalories
Calories and kilocalories are units of measurement used to determine the energy contained in foods. Both terms refer to the same amount of energy, but with different scales. One calorie is equal to 0.001 kilocalories (also called kilojoules) or 1,000 calories is equal to 1 kilocalorie. The word “calorie” is generally used to refer to the consumption of food and drinks by humans; while “kilocalorie” is usually used when we talk about the energy value of foods. Because of this, we can often see how commercial producers label their products with “nutritional values per 100 g”, indicated in kcal (1 kcal = 1000 cal).
Differences between calories and kilocalories
Calories are a unit of energy used to measure the amount of heat released by food . One calorie is equal to 4.2 joules (J). On the other hand, kilocalories , also known as Caloras (Cal), are metric units to measure the energy produced by food. It is obtained by multiplying the amount in calories by 1000. This means that 1 kilocalorie is equivalent to 1000 calories, which would be equal to 4200 J. In summary, every time we look at the nutritional content of foods we can see how many kilocalories it has, equivalent to 1000 calories of the same product.
Frequent questions about calories and kilocalories
What are calories?
Calories are a unit of measurement for energy. They represent the amount of energy contained in the foods and drinks we eat, as well as the amount of energy used by our body to carry out physical and mental activities. They are measured in kilocalories (kcal) or calories (cal).
How many calories should you consume per day?
The number of calories you should consume per day depends on factors such as your age, sex, body size and activity level. For a rough estimate, the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends the following ranges: for active adults ages 19-30: 2,000-2,600 calories per day; for older adults between 31-50 years old: 1,800-2,200 calories per day; and for older adults over 50 years old: 1,600 – 2,000 calories per day
How many calories are 1 kilocalorie?
One kilocalorie is equivalent to 1,000 calories.
How many calories are 300 kcal?
300 kcal are equivalent to 1250 kilojoules.
