calorically

Calorically is an adverb relating to calories, the units used to quantify energy in food and metabolism. In nutrition and physiology, the term describes something in terms of energy content or energy expenditure.

In nutrition, foods described as calorically dense have more energy per unit weight than foods with lower energy content. Caloric values are used in dietary planning to manage weight and activity, reflecting the balance between calories consumed and calories burned during daily activities and exercise.

Measurement of energy in foods is typically expressed as kilocalories (kcal) in many regions, sometimes alongside kilojoules (kJ). The everyday word “calorie” often refers to the kilocalorie in dietary contexts. A meal can be described as calorically balanced if its energy content aligns with a person’s energy needs, while calorically dense foods contribute more energy per gram than low-energy options.

Etymology and historical note: calorically derives from Latin calor, meaning heat, plus the adverbial suffix -ically. The term evokes an old scientific concept known as caloric theory, which treated heat as a material substance; this view has been superseded by modern thermodynamics and metabolism. Nevertheless, the word remains common in everyday language and nutrition to describe energy content and expenditure.

In summary, calorically pertains to the energy value of foods and the energy required or expended by the body, and it is closely tied to labeling, dietary planning, and discussions of energy balance.