 Reviewed by: Amanda Turbill, APD, M.Nutr&Diet, B.Edu
When trying to lose weight, we hear a lot about calories and kilojoules, but what exactly are they and what does it mean for our eating habits?
Calories Vs Kilojoules
Both calories and kilojoules are units of measurement for how much energy a food contains. In Australia, our scientific community tend to use kilojoules (kJ) to measure units of energy in food and drink, however most consumers will focus on calories when looking into healthy eating and weight loss. The only difference between the calories and kilojoules is simply the scale – similar to the difference between inches and centimetres.
1 Calorie = 4.2 kJs
Or
1 kJ = 0.2 Calories
Kilojoules in Food
How many kilojoules a food has is dependent on a wide variety of factors including the amount of protein, fat, size, and carbohydrates it has.
How many calories do you need?
Your energy needs depend on a variety of factors including:
– what your goals are
– how much energy you are using
– Your gender
–  whether or not you’re pregnant
– Â Your age
– Your height and weight
At 12WBT we advocate a 1200 calorie meal plan if you are looking to lose weight.
Not all calories were created equal
On the 12WBT meal plan, our team of dietitians have thoroughly planned meals so that within the calories you consume, you are getting the best bang for your buck in terms of nutrition. That means, the food you are recommended is going to get you through your workouts and day to day life with enough energy to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
