Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Calories are a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of energy in food. They represent the energy that our bodies obtain from consuming food.
Related terms
Metabolism: Metabolism refers to all the chemical processes that occur within our bodies to convert food into energy.
Nutrients: Nutrients are substances found in food that provide nourishment and support growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR): BMR is the number of calories your body needs at rest to maintain basic bodily functions such as breathing and circulation.