Science Fact Finder | Food and Nutrition - How Are Food Calories Measured?

How are food calories measured?

Calories are a measure of heat. The base unit, one calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of liquid water by 1° Celsius. Food calories, in particular, are the potential energy (heat) that food generates when eaten. A food calorie is defined differently from the standard calorie used in chemistry and physics. One food calorie is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram (or 1 liter or 2.2 pounds) of liquid water by 1° Celsius. Therefore, a food calorie is 1,000 times as great as a standard calorie.

Overconsumption of food calories is a common problem among people, Americans in particular. If a person consumes more calories than his or her body can use, the excess calories are stored as fat.

The nature of food calories is also an important consideration in diet. More calories should be consumed in...

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