Food labels provide you with the total amount of calories per serving. However, sometimes you will see calories listed as kcal. The real difference is significant; however, the practical difference is nonexistent.
Calorie
A calorie is a measurement of the energy contained in the food and drink we consume. One calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1 degree Celsius.
Large Calorie
The kilocalorie (kcal), also referred to as the large calorie, is also a measurement of energy. Scientifically, one kilocalorie is the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius. One kilocalorie equals 1,000 calories.
Food Nutrition
The calorie values listed on labels and other nutrition guides are actually the kilocalories in the food. However, this has been shortened over time to simply, "calories". In the world of weight loss and calorie counting, a kcal and a calorie are equal.
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