The amount of energy in an item of food or drink is measured in calories. When we eat and drink more calories than we use up, our bodies store the excess as body fat. If this continues, over time we may put on calories in peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat. These values can vary depending on age, size and levels of physical activity, among other factors.

When we eat and drink, we put energy into our bodies. Our bodies use up that energy through everyday movement, which includes everything from breathing to running. To maintain a stable weight, the energy we put into our bodies must be the same as the energy we use through normal bodily functions and physical activity. An important part of a healthy diet is balancing the energy you put into your bodies with the energy you use. For example, the more physical activity we do, the more energy we use. If you consume too much energy on 1 day, do not worry. Just try to take in less energy on the following days.

The calorie content of many shop-bought foods is stated on the packaging as part of the nutrition label. This information will appear under the “Energy” heading. The calorie content is often given in kcals, which is short for kilocalories, and also in kJ, which is short for kilojoules. A kilocalorie is another word for what’s commonly called a calorie, so 1,000 calories will be written as 1,000kcals. Kilojoules are the metric measurement of calories.

To find the energy content in kilojoules, multiply the calorie figure by 4. The label will usually tell you how many calories are contained in 100 grams or 100 millilitres of the food or drink, so you can compare the calorie content of different products. Many labels will also state the number of calories in 1 portion of the food. But remember that the manufacturer’s idea of 1 portion may not be the same as yours, so there could be more calories in the portion you serve yourself.