The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a kilogram (a liter) of water one degree Celsius.
The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C at 1 atmosphere of pressure.
The basic unit of energy in the body.
The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg water 1°C. 1 kcal = 4.189 kJ.
A kilocalorie (kcal), also written as a Calorie, is equal to 1000 calories and is the primary term used in the U.S. to describe the measurement of energy within a food or expended by the body. Since one calorie is typically defined as the amount of heat required to raise 1 g of water by 1°C, one kilocalorie is the heat required to raise 1 kg of water 1°C. The term used most commonly internationally to describe energy is the joule (j). One Calorie (kcal) is the equivalent of 4.184 Joules (kj). When describing daily food intake or energy expenditure, the term megajoule (Mj) is often used.
A measurement of energy used in nutrition. A kilocalorie (kcal) represents the amount of energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius (centigrade). In popular, nonscientific usage, a kilocalorie is usually called a calorie.
A unit of measure for heat. In nutrition, a kilocalorie is known as a large Calorie and is always written with a capital C.
A kilocalorie, abbreviated as kcal, represents an energy unit equivalent to 1,000 calories. In the field of dietetics, a kilocalorie is occasionally called a calorie (or C).