The use of these energy measurement units depends on the territory where we are located
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Calories and kilocalories are two units of measurement that can be confused with each other due to the similarities between their uses. According to Healthline , calories and kilocalories can be used interchangeably whenever we talk about a topic nutritional .
However, there are other areas where it is inappropriate to refer to calories and kilocalories , what deserves us to know what the differences are between them.
What are the differences between calories and kilocalories?
“Calories” is a term used for measure energy . When we talk about calories, we refer to the amount of energy that exists in food or drinks, although we can also refer to the amount of energy we burn with physical activity.
At some point a distinction can be made between “small” calories and “large” calories. 1 large calorie would equal a thousand small calories, just as 1 kilogram equals 1000 grams.
The term “ kilocalorie ”was created to avoid confusion between small calories and large calories. Thus, the term “kilocalorie” refers to the set of 1. 000 calories , while “calorie” refers only to the caloric unit.
However, this is a distinction that has fallen into disuse over time outside the realms of physics and chemistry, where it is still maintained and applied. As a result, the terms “calorie” and “kilocalorie” are used interchangeably in nutrition and dietetics .
The interchangeable use of the terms also results in it is not necessary to convert calories to kilocalories and vice versa , for at least outside of physics and chemistry, because it starts from the premise that 1 calorie equals 1 kilocalorie and vice versa.
Calories in Nutrition Facts
Calories and kilocalories are two energy measurement terms commonly used in the nutritional information displayed on the labels of the products we buy and which must inform the consumer about what the product that you acquire .
Depending on where you live, labels can measure energy with different terms, which can complicate the information of the components because, in addition to calories and kilocalories, another energy measure is the kilojoules (KJ).
One calorie or kilocalorie equals 4,18 kilojoules, or 4. 180 joules . If you want to convert calories to kilojoules, you only need to multiply the calories by 4, 18. On the other hand, if you want to know how many kilojoules are a certain amount of calories, divide this amount by 4, 18.
Having Having clarified that, the energy measurement terms used in some territories are indicated below.
- United States : calories
- Canada: calories
- European Union: kilojoules and kilocalories
- Australia and New Zealand : kilojoules, or calories / kilocalories
- China : kilojoules
Now that you are more familiar with the meaning of calories and kilocalories , we hope you are a little clearer about the information contained in the product labels and what they represent, since if your objective is lose weight , you may know these data are very useful.
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