Calorie [Cal]

A customary unit of energy used to measure energy content of foods & beverages, hence energy intake, as well as energy expenditure by the body.

A kilocalorie is equal to the amount of energy (heat) required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water 1 degree Celsius.

It should be noted that the term Calorie (with a capital C), also called “large” calorie, is often used to designate the kilocalorie, i.e. 1000 “small” calories.