What Does Kcal Mean, What’s the Difference With Calories?

Calorie We all know the term from somewhere. Those who do sports, want to lose or gain weight; or just those who pay attention to what they eat are familiar with this word. However, most of us do not know exactly what this unit is, from which we learn how much we should buy and how much we should spend. In this article, what is a calorie, kcal and kJ We will try to learn the difference with the units in the simplest way.

Although the term calorie is known to almost everyone, most people‘little calories’ and ‘big calorie’ does not know the difference. Also, another alternative, the kJ unit, is a mystery to many. Bride, “what are calories” Let’s start with the question of what it does, what is small and big, let’s answer simply.

What are calories?

Continually “How many calories in a banana” or “How many calories does a squat burn” The calorie we hear in sentences like, is simply the unit of measure for the energy we use in our body. Everything we eat and drink contains different amounts of energy in its chemical structure. In general, the amount of calories we see in kcal varies according to the amount of macronutrients in foods. The three main macronutrients that provide this energy are as follows: fat, carbohydrate and protein. While fats and carbohydrates provide the most calories, protein contains the lowest calories. That’s why diets for weight loss generally avoid fats and then carbohydrates.

Not all of the calories we take in our bodies are used for a single purpose. While what we eat is digested, these calories are stored as energy in different molecules such as muscle and fat. The energy obtained is used for three different purposes: Digestion of ingested food, physical activity, work of organs and tissues. your calories 10% ofIt is used to digest the food we consume. 20% off part of it goes to the physical activities we do, including sitting. Remainder 70% most of it is used in the functioning of internal organs and tissues. If excess calories are not used stored in adipose tissues for later use.

How many calories should be consumed during the day?

It is not possible to say an exact number on this issue. The amount of calories you need to take daily age, height, weight, gender and daily amount of physical activity depending on factors such as The amount of calories you need to eat daily if you don’t want to lose or gain weight. should be almost equal to the amount you spend. If you want to lose and gain weight in a healthy way, the average of the amount you spend 400 calories more or less you can consume. You can learn the calories you need to take daily from sites such as TDEE Calculator; You can see in detail the amounts that need to be taken to stay at the same weight, lose or gain weight.

What does kcal mean? Calorie and kcal difference:

The only difference between kcal and cal units is that one is different from the other. 1000 times bigger that is. 1 kcal is equal to 1000 cal and the only reason for this is to provide convenience as in other measurement systems. Sometimes kcal is referred to as large calories and cal as small calories. The large calorie, which was previously expressed by capitalizing the first letter of cal, later became the kilocalorie, or kcal. The unit most people mean by calories today is the kcal. In the United States, the unit cal is used. While kJ unit is also used in many parts of the world, only this unit is used in some countries such as China.

What is kilojoules (kJ)?

Kilojoules are also a unit of measurement used to measure the same energy as a calorie. Joule is equal to the energy expended by applying a force of 1 newton over 1 meter. This is actually the most convenient unit according to the metric system, but somehow the calorie has become more common to use. 1 kcal equals 4.13 kJ. Although uncommon, it can be found on the back of food packages with a kcal measure.

What does kcal mean in a combi?

The areas where the Kcal measurement unit is used are not limited to nutrition and sports. No calories, It is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1 °C.. This is why the capacity of boilers is measured in calories. The required capacity varies according to the size of the space to be heated.

Values ​​of some foods in kcal and kJ:

• Medium banana: 105 kcal – 439 kJ
• 100 grams of milk chocolate: 534 kcal – 2234 kJ
• 100 grams of watermelon: 30 kcal – 126 kJ
• 1 glass of buttermilk: 60 kcal – 251 kJ
• Medium coffee latte (without sugar): 176 kcal – 736 kJ
• 100 grams of popcorn: 375 kcal – 1569 kJ
• 1 scoop of plain ice cream: 104 kcal – 435 kJ
• 1 handful (40 grams) of roasted hazelnuts: 263 kcal – 1100 kJ
• Medium street bagel: 323 kcal – 1351 kJ

Calorie counter applications:

• FatSecret Calorie Counter
• MyFitnessPal
• YAZIO
• lifesum
• fastic
• macros
• iShape
• SWEAT
• Tone & Sculpt

In our article, what is the calorie; We tried to explain the differences of kcal, calorie and kJ units. We have given examples of how this information can be used in daily life. Now, when you hear the question “What does kcal mean”, you can proudly convey your knowledge. So, do you know any tips on calorie control? You can share your knowledge with us by going down to the comments section.