We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How are calories measured & tested?

xjessicaxrx
xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
This is baffling me... different foods are made up of different substances and are all digested differently, So how do they work out the number on the label?? I have tried Google and it confused me even more, Theories & facts welcome please!

Replies

  • junodog1
    junodog1 Posts: 4,792 Member
    edited July 2017
    The Calorie you see on a food package is actually a kilocalorie, or 1,000 calories. A Calorie (kcal) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water 1 degree Celsius. ... The food was completely burned and the resulting rise in water temperature was measured.

    "Old method" but technically correct

    Go to this link:
    https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-food-manufacturers/
This discussion has been closed.