A calorie and a kilocalorie (kcal) are both units of energy, but they are not the same thing. A calorie is a small unit of energy that is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
A kilocalorie, on the other hand, is a large unit of energy that is equal to 1,000 calories. In nutrition and fitness,the term “calorie” is typically used to refer to a kilocalorie. This is because a kilocalorie is a more practical unit of energy to use when discussing the energy content of food and exercise.
Here is a table summarizing the difference between calories and kilocalories:
Unit Definition:
*Calorie:
The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
*Kilocalorie (kcal):
Equal to 1,000 calories, 4,184 joules.
So, when you see a food label that says “100 calories,” it is actually referring to 100 kilocalories. This is why the amount of energy in food is often referred to in terms of kilocalories, or “kcal” for short.
I hope this helps!
Thanks Bard