Calorie Corner

In the last few decades, energy intake has become all the rage as weight loss facilitators capitalised on what could be dubbed the Century of the Calorie. But what are calories, how do they differ from kilojoules, and why should they be given a second thought?

In this section, we explain the basics.

   

Calories to kilojoules

Calories (or kilo-calories as they should be correctly called) are a non-metric unit of energy, while kilojoules (kJ) are units of energy used in the Metric System.

Metabolism

To be able to understand the significance of the calorie, energy metabolism needs to be understood. Luckily, the concept is quite simple.

Calories explained

Energy can be measured in two types of units: calories and joules. The term "kilocalorie" is, however, popularly referred to as "calorie".

Change your eating patterns

No one can dispute the fact that weight is an important health issue. Unfortunately, people who need to lose weight often struggle to recognise their own predicament.

Choose the slimming options

Shop for quick, low-fat food items, and fill your kitchen cupboards with a supply of low-calorie basics.

What's in that hamburger?

We all know fast foods contain high amounts of calories, fat and cholesterol. But how do different types of fast foods compare to each other? Have a look at this comprehensive list.

A typical daily intake

Here is an example of what a person eats on a typical day.

Calories and kilojoules explained

The counting of calories and kilojoules can be a most effective method of weight control, writes DietDoc. Many people, however, don't understand how to use this tool. Here's help.

Calories: an introduction

When the magic of the calorie was first explored in the 1890s, the concept of dieting wasn't given much thought. In fact, it was a lot more fashionable to be voluptuously rounded.

Energy input

Love eating? The good news is that food must be supplied regularly to meet the energy needs of the body.

Energy output

The most basic dietary guideline is to balance energy intake with energy output. This means that as long as you burn what you eat, your weight will stay the same.

Count your calories

Calculate how many calories you consumed today with Health24's easy-to-use calorie counter.

More than combustion engines

Protein, carbohydrates and fat are handled by the body in different ways and certain conditions need to apply for food to be turned into fat or for fat to be removed.

New ideas for old favourites

These low-calorie alternatives provide new ideas for old favourites. When making a food choice, remember to consider vitamins and minerals.

Dieting – cut the confusion

If you're confused about calories, kilojoules, good foods vs. fatty foods, and the concept of "negative energy foods", this article is for you. DietDoc answers crucial questions.

Calories, kilojoules: which is it?

If you're confused about the difference between calories and kilojoules, or the amount of food you need to cut out of your diet to lose weight, this article is for you.