Understanding the conversion between kilocalories (kcal) and calories is essential for accurate nutritional assessments and energy calculations. In scientific terms, 1 kilocalorie equals 1,000 small calories. However, in dietary contexts, the term "Calorie" (with an uppercase 'C') is often used interchangeably with kilocalorie, meaning that 1 Calorie is equivalent to 1 kilocalorie. Therefore, when you see "Calories" on food labels, it typically refers to kilocalories. For instance, a food item labeled as containing 250 Calories actually provides 250 kilocalories of energy. This distinction is crucial for accurately understanding energy intake and expenditure.