What is the calorie count of food or exercise? A calorie count is the amount of energy potential in foods and the energy expended in activity.  Energy is measured in calories or joules. Since the body uses so many tens of thousands of calories and joules every day, the kilocalorie (kCal) and kilojoule (kJ) are often better units to work with as each unit represents one thousand calories or joules. A single calorie or kilojoule is too small a unit. For example 50 kCal actually means 50,000 calories just as 50 kJ would mean 50,000 kilojoules. For convenience and over time, kCal fell away in weight management and calorie (Cal) took its place although Cal is intended to mean kCal. Activity, as well, is measured in kilocalories which has just been assigned to the calorie value. A person’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) determines how much of calories are consumed at rest. Any additional activity will utilize more calories above and beyond the BMR. Standing and walking will consume more calories than sleeping whereas running, cycling or swimming will consume even more calories than standing and walking. Therefore a calorie count can be assigned to different activities – usually it is … Continue reading Calorie Count (Food and Activity) and Effect on Body Weight