Kilojoules & Calories Explained

Kilojoules, calories, kilocalories, cal, kJ… Huh? 

If that’s you, than you are in luck. A new website has been launched by the NSW Food Authority in Australia to help us all understand a little more about kilojoules. The new website is www.8700.com.au .

kJ (kilojoules) is the Australian measure of how much energy we get from consuming a food or drink. Nearly everything we eat and drink provides our bodies with energy. Some foods provide loads of energy/kJ and other foods provide little energy/kJ.

Energy from food provides fuel for walking, running, skipping and breathing. When we take the dog for a walk we use more energy than when we are on the couch watching the television. If we eat more energy than our body requires, we put on weight and that energy is put into storage (usually as fat).

Simply, active people require more energy than inactive people.

The average Australian adult consumes about 8700kJ a day and that’s why the new website was titled 8700. Large, active men typically require more energy than small, inactive women.  You can work out how much energy your body requires by going to the ‘Your Ideal Figure’ tab on the www.8700.com.au website. This section of the website will estimate your total requirements after you fill in your age, gender, weight and activity levels.

NOTE: kJ are similar to Calories:

• 1 kJ = 0.2 Calories (Cals)
• 1 Calorie = 4.2 kJs

Large restaurants and cafes now prominently display the kJ count where you can see them on their menu boards so you can make the best choice for your requirements. If you want to check how many kJs are in your meal before you head out, you can by using the website. The 8700 database includes many products from the brands affected by the NSW kJ display laws, and a small number of similar, common foods. You can even download the new 8700 phone application for easy reference when out and about…

Tips from the website:

Remember that healthy eating is all about what’s right for your body’s needs and balancing the amount of kJs you take in with the activity required to burn them up.

Make regular physical activity part of everyday: It helps you maintain good health and manage your weight and reduces your risk of chronic diseases.

Get active: You should try being active in as many ways as you can throughout the day. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
 Don’t spend so much time sitting.

Losing weight: 60 – 90 minutes moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Start small and within you level of fitness, gradually work your way up.

Finding out how much energy your body requires might come as a surprise, and if it does, you now have a tool to help you understand where the energy in your diet is coming from and make some positive changes.

Take a good look at the website and have a tour. Explore, click and play… But, as always, choose foods close to nature, make informed decisions but don’t get too hung up on counting and calculating.

Eat well, be well… Lisa xo

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