Understanding kilojoules (kJ)
We get energy from almost all food and drink. The energy is measured by the number of kJ (kilojoules) the food or drink provides. Energy used for daily activity is also measured in kJ. It can also be measured in Calories (1 Calorie is equal to 4.2kJ).
Maintaining a healthy weight means balancing how many kJ we eat and drink with the energy we use. How many kJ each person needs each day differs from person to person. Some food and drinks have more kJ and others have fewer kJ. The differences result from different ingredients, preparation methods and serving sizes.
The average daily energy intake for an Australian adult is 8700kJ. It’s the total intake of energy from all food and drinks consumed for a whole day, on average. Some people need less than this and others need more, depending on whether they are male or female, their regular activity level, age, size and genetics.
- We can use the average daily energy intake to help decide how many kJ we will consume each time we eat and drink throughout the day
- If we have more kJ at one meal, we might have to have fewer kJ at another meal that day, or exercise for longer
