HUMAN NUTRITION

Detailed explanation-1: -The calorie content is often given in kcals, which is short for kilocalories, and also in kJ, which is short for kilojoules. A kilocalorie is another word for what’s commonly called a calorie, so 1, 000 calories will be written as 1, 000kcals. Kilojoules are the metric measurement of calories.

Detailed explanation-2: -The calorie is simply a unit of energy. Literally energy-you cannot see them under a microscope, they are not molecules and they don’t have a chemical name.

Detailed explanation-3: -The even more important factor is that foods are not made up of calories alone. They are complex mixtures of fiber, protein, fat, and vitamins and minerals. Not to mention sugar and additives like flavors and preservatives in processed foods.

Detailed explanation-4: -A calorie is not a calorie, in more than one sense. Carbohydrate, fat and protein calories are indeed equal by definition in terms of their energy content, but the body processes each in a distinct way, and these differences have real implications for weight management.