Calorie

A unit of energy in the British system of units. Still used to define the amount of energy amount of energy contained in foods. Defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water from 14.5°C to 15.5°C.

Note: The calorific value of food and values presented on diet sheets are normally in kilo calories (kCal). However, people often say calories when talking about diet and actually mean kcal.

Examples

Activity	kCal used per hour
Calisthenics	300
Digging	360 to 420
Football	500
Jogging 5 to 10 mph	500 to 800
Sitting	100
Sleeping	60
Standing	140
Swimming	500 to 700
Walking 2 mph	150 to 240
Walking 4 mph	300 to 400

This is based on an average person weighing 68kg.

See also: Energy, Joule.