Final answer:
The amount of energy in food is measured in calories. A nutritional Calorie (with a capital 'C'), equivalent to a kilocalorie (kcal), is the unit used to define the energy content of food and represents the potential energy available to the body upon consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy content of food is measured in calories. Specifically, in nutrition, we talk about nutritional Calories (with a capital 'C'), which are also known as kilocalories (kcal). A nutritional Calorie is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C. Consuming calories through eating adds chemical potential energy to the body, powering biological processes through metabolism—an oxidation process where the body converts food into work and heat.
Data from scientific studies, such as those conducted by Carla Prado's team at the University of Alberta using whole-body calorimetry, help to inform recommended energy intakes and nutritional guidelines. This type of research is essential for understanding how dietary intake and energy expenditure affect health during various life stages, such as after giving birth.
The student's question refers to the units used to measure the energy obtained from foods. The correct option is B) calories. This is the unit of energy that shows how much potential energy is available in the food we consume, which our bodies can then metabolize for our physiological needs.