Chapter: Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology: Nutrition, Metabolism, and body Temperature Regulation

Kilocalories

The energy the body uses is stored within the chemical bonds of certain nutrients.

Kilocalories

 

The energy the body uses is stored within the chemical bonds of certain nutrients. A calorie (kal′ ō-rē; heat) (cal) is the amount of energy (heat) necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram (g) of water 1°C. A kilocalorie (kil′ ō-kal-ō-rē) (kcal) is 1000 cal and is used to express the larger amounts of energy supplied by foods and released through metabolism. For example, one slice of white bread contains about 75 kcal, 1 cup of whole milk contains 150 kcal, a banana contains 100 kcal, a hot dog contains 170 kcal (not counting the bun and dressings), a McDonald’s Big Mac has 540 kcal, and a soft drink adds another 145 kcal. For each gram of carbohydrate or protein metabolized by the body, about 4 kcal of energy are released. Fats contain more energy per unit of weight than carbohydrates and proteins, and they yield about 9 kcal/g. Table 17.1 lists the kilocalories supplied by some typi-cal foods. A typical diet in the United States consists of 50–60% carbohydrates, 35–45% fats, and 10–15% proteins. Table 17.1 also lists the carbohydrate, fat, and protein composition of some foods.

 

 A kilocalorie is often called a Calorie (with a capital C). Unfortunately, this usage has resulted in confusion of the term calorie (with a lowercase c) with Calorie (with a capital C). Itis common practice on food labels to use the term calorie whenCalorie (kilocalorie) is the proper term.


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Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology: Nutrition, Metabolism, and body Temperature Regulation : Kilocalories |


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