Weight Loss Programs
Weight Loss Program Reviews
Wonderslim
DietToGo
Medifast
BistroMD
eDiets Meals
Weight Loss Packages
WonderSlim Starter Kits
For Women
For Men
Diabetes
Vegetarians
Diet Meal Replacements
Meal Replacements
Diet Plan
Protein Shake Diet
Medifast Weight Loss
Protein Powders
Weight Loss Pills
Weight Loss Pill Reviews
Hoodia
Proactol
ProShapeRX
Body Detox
Detox Foot Patch
1 Week Detox Diet
7 Days Detox Diet Review
Detox Diet Foods List
Detox Diets
All You Need to Know
Detox Diet & Weight Loss
Choose Your Detox Diet

The Most Common Misconception about Calories and Kilocalories Explained

Calorie is the non-SI unit of measurement for energy. The SI unit of measurement for energy is joule. There are two types of calories:

Small calorie (aka gram calorie) is the energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 g (gram) of water by 1 degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit).
1 cal equals to 4.184 joules (cal is the symbol for gram calorie)

Large calorie (aka kilogram calorie) is the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg (kilogram) of water with 1 degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit).
1 kcal equals to 4.184 kilojoules = 4184 joules = 1000 cals (kcal is the symbol for kilogram calorie)

Although not a SI unit kilocalories are still the most common measurements for food energy. Hence the most common misconception that occurs when we talk about calories in food – despite we read calories or cals on food packages, the labeling actually refers to kilocalories when we talk about food.

For example: If a pack of crackers has 400 calories (or cals), it turns out that the calories (or cals) marked on the crackers package are actually kilocalories (or kcals), so it would be correct if written 400 kilocalories (or 400 kcals), but usually it’s not.

Often the word “calorie” (referring to kilocalorie) is capitalized (Calorie) in order to be distinguished from the small (gram) calorie, but this is not effective outside the specific context, so it’s practically useless.

The name “calorie” (referring to kilocalorie) is often used in medical sciences and non-scientific contexts. Whereas, the name “calorie” (referring strictly to the gram calorie) is used in scientific contexts such as chemistry and physics. Here’s why it is needed to be inferred from the context whether the gram calorie or the kilogram calorie is intended.

When we talk about exercises the same rule as in non-scientific context applies.

For example: If you normally burn 100 Calories (or cals) on the treadmill technically that refers to 100 kilocalories (or kcals).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie

Advertisements

Leave a Reply

 
Categories
Archives
 
Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss
Antioxidants
and Antioxidant Foods
Tips On How To Stick To Medifast
How To Speed Up Weight Loss On Medifast
Fiber-Stat Liquid Dietary Fiber Supplement
Dates - the Best Nutrition for Dieting
Fibers and Fiber Rich Foods
Medifast - The Secret To Women's Weight Loss
Bistro MD Wedding Diet
Celebrity Diet
from Bistro MD
Easy To Follow Diabetic Diet Plan
Use Mixed Drinks to Lose Weight Naturally
Browse All Articles ...
 
Importance of Eating Breakfast
Cinnamon: Miracle in a Half Teaspoon
Benefits of Honey for Fat Loss
Detox Diet Foods List
Artificial Sweeteners and Weight Gain
List Of Low Fat Foods
Garlic - Viral and
Bacterial Fighter
Beans: Lower Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
Browse All Articles ...
 
1500 Calorie Low Fat Diet
1500 Calorie Diet Plan
with 5 Meals
Cabbage Soup Diet
Scarsdale Diet
4 Day Low Calorie Diet
Shangri La Diet
Reverse Diet Solution