How to Calculate Kilocalories

Kilocalories measure the amount of energy that food produces. Kilocalories and calories are the same, aside from the name difference. You can calculate the kilocalories of any food or drink as long as you have the amount of fat, carbohydrates and protein that the food contains.

Instructions

1. Find the Nutrition Facts label on the food item. Make sure the label has carbohydrates, fat and protein listed. Some foods do not contain all three substances, but they all contain at least one of them. Calculate using the substances that the food does contain.

2. Find the amount of fat per serving and write it down. Multiply this number by nine to get the amount of fat kilocalories. Example: 20g fat x 9 = 180 kilocalories of fat.

3. Write down the amount of protein and carbohydrates per serving. Each of these numbers needs to be multiplied by four to get the kilocalories.

4. Add the three numbers together. This will give you the total amount of kilocalories.

Tips & Warnings

• If the food contains alcohol, add seven kilocalories per gram of alcohol. Some food such as fresh produce and meat do not have nutritional value listed on them. You can find this information by clicking on the Food Nutritional Value link below.

References

• Food Nutritional Information
• Calculating Energy